The sacred author of Genesis records God’s command to Abraham in such shocking and horrific words: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust.” [ Genesis 22:2] It is difficult to even imagine the pain and distress Abraham must have felt. Isaac was the most precious gift he had ever received, the one he loved most. Now he was being commanded to sacrifice him. However, the sacred author seems to focus only on Abraham’s response: “Here I am” he says and immediately obeys. 

On the way, Abraham responds to Isaac’s question, “where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” His answer that God would provide the sheep suggests Abraham’s desire to reassure his son and his hope that some other option might be possible. At the critical moment, when he was about to carry out the order, the Lord’s messenger stopped Abraham. Then a ram was provided for the holocaust and Isaac was restored to his father. Acknowledging his faith and obedience, God promised Abraham that his descendants would be countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore. God also promised that all nations on earth would find blessing in Abraham’s descendants. [Gen. 22: 18]

Yes, God put Abraham to the test and what a horrendous test. But we know that God is not cruel or capricious. He has revealed himself as the God of Life who loves all his children. And we know that human sacrifice was always condemned in the traditions of Israel. Abraham’s devotion to God was so strong that he was willing to give up that which was most dear to him as an act of faith. So, the lesson for us is that God must always come first in our lives. Whatever we love in this life only has true value when placed in the context of the greatest good, who is God himself. 

When Jesus led Peter, James and John up the high mountain, he was transfigured before them. This magnificent revelation happened in order that the Apostles could begin to understand Jesus’ identity as Son of God. The scene, described so briefly by the Evangelist, is filled with compelling truth. Jesus is clothed in dramatic brightness as he converses with them, prefiguring the manifestation of his glory after the Resurrection.   Moses and Elijah also appear, revealing Jesus as the one who fulfills all of God’s promises given through the Law and the prophets. 

Most dramatic however was the overshadowing cloud and the voice that said “This my beloved Son. Listen to him.” [Mark 9: 7] Although the Apostles were terrified, the scene would have been fixed in their memories though they could not have understood its full meaning until after the Resurrection.     

As we contemplate the Transfiguration of the Lord today it should be a source of consolation and strength for us. Whenever we suffer from doubts or fear we can remember that the Lord has chosen us to share in his glory. As his disciples we also share in suffering and persecution when we follow him. But he has overcome sin and death through his victory on the Cross. The bright glory he revealed on the mountain should remain fixed in our minds. It reminds us that he is the fulfillment of all God’s promises and the ultimate good. 

On the mountain, Jesus was revealed to the Apostles as God’s Beloved Son. However, it was on Mount Calvary that God’s Son was revealed most powerfully. The only begotten Son, loved by the Father, was sacrificed for us so that we could be freed from sin and death and share in his Life forever.  Abraham’s faith and devotion, displayed in his willingness to give up his beloved son for God, can now be understood as a precursor of the greatest act of Love on Calvary.    

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