The Transfiguration: Listen to Him
“Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him” (Luke 9:35).
The Feast of the Transfiguration has been celebrated annually on August 6 for centuries. The Transfiguration commemorates Jesus’ change in appearance on the mountaintop in front of Peter, John, and James: “While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white” (Luke 9:29-30). The event is described in all three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke).
In all three accounts, a cloud casts a shadow over the scene and a voice from the cloud proclaims (with slightly different phrasing in the three versions), “This is my chosen Son; listen to him” (Luke 9:35). This is not the only time that the Father voices acknowledgement of the Son and puts out a call for us to listen. Similar words, spoken “from the heavens” are echoed at the start of Jesus’ ministry on Earth at his Baptism (e.g. Matthew 3:17).
We are still called to listen to Jesus today. Most of us won’t hear a loud voice from the clouds telling us to listen to the Lord, but we are nevertheless still called to listen to Him in our lives today. Here are three ways to prepare ourselves to be receptive and attentive to what the Lord wants us to listen to.
1. Prayer
There are many forms of prayer, which is crucial for nurturing our own personal bi-directional relationship with Jesus: offering up our intentions, gratitude or requests, but also listening. Find the form or forms that are most effective for you in communicating with the Lord.
2. Receiving the Sacrament of Confession
An examination of conscience and the subsequent graces received through this sacrament can open our hearts to be more receptive to hearing what the Lord is asking of us.
3. Carrying a Reminder of Jesus
We can use physical reminders on our person to help us recall to always consult with the Lord before making decisions, no matter how big or small. Perhaps the reminder is adding a meaningful image on our phone’s home screen or by wearing either a necklace with a crucifix or a rosary bracelet. Be creative and experiment to understand which reminder item works best for you.
On the Feast of the Transfiguration, let us be particularly attentive to listening to Him amidst the cacophony of voices in our daily world competing for our attention and loyalty.
Sarah Gagliano Taliun is a genetics professor with many interests in addition to studying DNA. She and her husband now call Montreal home. When she is not reading a scientific article or meeting with students, Sarah can be found experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, reading her Bible or taking a walk in nature.