"His Face Did Shine as the Sun"

(The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ) (August 19, 2005)

“His face did shine as the sun.” Anyone who drives here in the Valley of the Sun has experienced driving east in the morning, or west in the evening, with the sun low on the horizon, and the bright light shining into your eyes. Yet the light of the sun is dim in comparison with the uncreated light of the glory of God, which Peter and James and John beheld on Mount Tabor when our Lord Jesus Christ was transfigured in glory, making His face shine as the sun, and His clothing to be white as the light.

The theme of light occurs many times in the Holy Scriptures. Moses had to veil his face when he left the presence of God, for, without the veil, his face would shine with the light it received from being in the presence of God. St. John speaks of Christ as the light that enlightens every man. Our Lord Himself told us, “You are the light of the world”; and then instructs us, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.”

The uncreated light of the glory of God, which properly belongs to the Son of God, was veiled in human flesh when our Lord became incarnate for our salvation. As Christ now dwells in us, so, too, does the light of His glory. This is what enlightens our minds, making it possible for us to see the truth, and the way in which we are to walk, so as to serve God in a pleasing manner. But when we cling to our sinful ways, when we prefer our passions, and the world, to the godly way of life, we shut our eyes to the light that is meant to guide us; we try to cover the light with the filth of our sins. Brothers and sisters, this should not be.

The fathers tell us that only those who are worthy are able to climb the mountain with the Lord, as did Peter and James and John; and it is only after we have climbed the mountain that we are worthy of the Divine vision. We begin to climb as we repent of our sins, and confess them, and seek the mercy and help of God for the transformation of our lives. As we pray, and fast, and give alms, and struggle against the habits of our passions, and labor to acquire the godly virtues, we climb still higher; until, by the grace of God, we have become bearers of Christ. Then, we may behold Him in His glory; and then, we may shine forth with the same, and so draw others nearer to His light, and to their salvation.

Brothers and sisters, called to be saints: Our Lord Jesus Christ is willing and able to raise up those who love Him, and who have faith in Him that fills them with zeal. Let us repent, and confess; let us labor, and follow the Orthodox way of life, that we also may ascend the mount of Transfiguration, and allow the Light that dwells in us to shine, so that we may glorify our Father in heaven, and be His servants in the salvation of souls.