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| The Transfiguration window on the south side of the nave, St. Alphonsus Church |
1.
What does the Transfiguration say about Christ—who and what he is? How do you personally first approach Christ? (e.g. a Lord, as God, as brother, etc.) The Church believes that Christ is perfect God (God from God, eternal, almighty, etc.) and perfect man. Which is easier to accept? Why? Which do you think is more difficult for the rest of the world to accept? Why?
2.
The Catechism (§ 556) makes a comparison between the baptism of Jesus at the beginning of his public ministry and the Transfiguration, which occurs just before Christ’s passion. In both cases there is a revelation of the Trinity. In the baptism, the voice of the Father is heard and the Holy Spirit is seen descending as a dove. In the Transfiguration, the voice of the Father is heard and the “bright cloud” is generally taken to be the Holy Spirit. What do you make of this comparison?
3.
Why do you think Jesus selects only Peter, James, and John to see his Transfiguration?
4.
What do you make of the appearance of Moses, the giver of the law, and Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, at the Transfiguration?
5.
The Transfiguration is often taken to be a revelation of Christ’s divinity and a sort of pre-view of the glory of the resurrection. Many believe that this was given to Peter, James, and John to help them get through Christ’s passion and death. If so, what does the behavior of Peter after the Transfiguration and during Christ’s passion (when he abandoned Jesus and even lied about his association with him) say about our pattern of faithfulness to Christ?
6.
Why do you think Christ would want the disciples to remain silent about what they saw and heard until after the resurrection?
7.
Has your own understanding of who Jesus is changed over the years, and if so how?
