There are great mysteries in the Universe but this Sunday we celebrate one of God's great mysteries, which we call the Paschal Mystery. The Father's plan was that his Son would go from suffering to joy, from humiliation to glory, and from death to life. Jesus died. Then he was buried, planted like a seed in the earth. His Father's glory, like the sun, and the Spirit's life-giving power, like the rain, came upon him and he rose from the dead in glorious splendor.
Thus, the transfiguration of Jesus was a gift to the apostles to prepare them for the ordeal of Jesus' death. It was meant to strengthen their faith on that day of trial, so that remembering Jesus' glory on the mountain they could endure his death with hope for his resurrection. And yet the scandal of the cross was too much for them until Jesus had actually risen from the dead.
We are blessed to look back in faith upon the Paschal Mystery, to believe that Jesus died and yet was raised up, to realize that the transfiguration was a prelude to the resurrection. All of this has taken place for our benefit, for our salvation. And when faced with our own impending death, we may be tempted to fear that we will be buried like a seed but left to rot in the soil. For Jesus has given us a sacrament of resurrection, a guarantee for our faith and a strength for our hope to the fullness of life. Amen.