In physics, light is described both as a wave and a particle through which we can make wise attempts to describe the origins and the future of the existence of the universe.

In the Bible, the first words atttributed to the Creator of the universe are: “Let there be light!” And indeed, there was light and that God saw it as good. (Genesis 1:3-4) The Psalmist thus praises the Creator, saying: “For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.” (Psalm 36:10)

Ultimately, light is a necessary force to reckon with which allows us to see things clearly as they are.

Reflecting on the gospel episode populalrly dubbed as the “Transfiguration of Jesus” which appears on the three synoptic gospels (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-10, and; Luke 9:28-36) and is suggested liturgically by the Church for contemplation every second Sunday of Lent, seems to draw and invite us to consider what it means to be exposed in light.

Sure, seeing Jesus as his “appearance changed and his clothes turn into dazzling white” (Lk 9:29) could be interpreted as a foretaste of his divine glory. However, it can be observed that in all the three synoptic narratives about the Transfiguration, it is unanimously situated immediately after Jesus’ predictions that he will have to endure suffering and death.

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For Jesus to say that he must have to “suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed” (Lk 9:22) would sound so frustrating, especially to his disciples who, believing him to be the Messiah, may have thought to themselves that they have wasted too much of their time, energy and life for a revolutionary leader who will end up as a looser after all.

Jesus’ gloomy and tense prophecy of his future is then tempered by the Transfiguration event at Mount Tabor which was witnessed by the presumed inner-circle among or within his disciples.

If one were in Jesus’ sandals, what would the feeling of being transfigured be like? Or better yet: what would being scrutinized in light mean for Jesus?

The gospels are unanimously mum about what was going on in Jesus’ mind at that time. But we can make a good guess out of the hints given by Matthew, Mark and, especially, Luke.

Matthew and Mark simply wrote that Moses and Elijah conversed with the dazzling Jesus. Luke, however, provides a “juicier” detail: the two Old Testament figures “spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” (Lk 9:31)

Perhaps, that moment of light and glory from an observer’s vantage point may have been a tense and gloomy moment for Jesus. 

It could be imagined that the glorious light that made his appearance dazzle also made him see the ugly and painful things that he will have to endure in Jerusalem.

He could have been afraid, as anyone would probably react naturally.

But maybe, just maybe, Jesus held on to the affirmation that the Father had for him at the River Jordan, during his baptism, before heading on to the desert to be tempted for 40 days: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (see Lk 3:22; 4:1-13)

To be assured of love liberates one from fear. It is a confidence booster. After all, “perfect love drives out fear.” (1 John 4:18)

The Transfiguration episode shows us what it means to be exposed to light. There is tension, yes. But isn’t that what light does? After all, light allows us to see things clearly as they are.

As it did for Jesus, it must be for us too. It was a reality check of what life is in this world. Difficulties, pains, struggles, gloom, darkness and death are realities that we cannot avoid: realities that Jesus — who is the “light of the world” (John 1:4-5) — himself did not dismiss. In fact, Jesus faced all of it and even had himself bitterly defaced by all of it. And it was in facing these realities that Jesus is glorified as Lord in light.

Just as physics tells us that the universe began as a spark of light which was affirmed by God’s first commandment in Genesis, when he said “let there be light.” It goes without saying that light, after all, is greater than darkness.

What does this mean for us?

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The season of Lent is a season of reflection and reckoning. It is a season that invites us to allow ourselves be scrutinized and exposed in light.

To be exposed in light allows us to see, first, ourselves, which includes our positive sides, our virtues, our gifts and as well as our negative sides, our weaknesses, vulnerabilities and fears. In other words, it allows to see our individual lives realistic.

Second, to be exposed in light is to see the realities of the world clearly: that difficulties and challenges, pain and sorrow are inevitable. In other words, it makes us realistic.

But ultimately, our faith teaches us that to be exposed in light with the realistic disposition of Jesus — humble, confident and faithful to the Father who loves — prepares us to shine, to dazzle in glory. In other words, to become like Jesus.

The Transfiguration episode in Luke ends with an invitation for us to be exposed in light so that we may become like Jesus.

A voice from heaven, the same voice that sustained and assured Jesus despite the tensions in his life, addressed his disciples and us today: “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” (Lk 9:35) 

This is an invitation for us to allow ourselves to be exposed to light, to Jesus himself who said elsewhere: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)  – Rappler.com

Ted Tuvera is a seminarian of the Archdiocese of Capiz. He is finishing his theological studies at the University of Santo Tomas, where he earned his journalism degree almost a decade ago. He previously worked as a correspondent for a national daily, covering Malacañang and other political stories.