Reflective faces

August 6 is Transfiguration Sunday, celebrated by strong liturgical traditions. The Transfiguration is a strange story. Matthew, Mark and Luke describe something beyond this world which takes place, symbolically, on a high mountain. Jesus’ clothes turn bright white. Matthew adds that Jesus’ face shone like the sun, reflecting the account of Moses in Exodus 34. The three Gospels have Moses and Elijah appear. Then the cloud of God’s presence and the heavenly voice arrive. All this is to show the disciples that Jesus is the revelation of God to be believed and followed.

In the late 1970’s, I enjoyed the Catholic praise songs of Father Carey Landry. The chorus to his song “Transfiguration” is, “We behold the splendour of God, shining on the face of Jesus.” Most associate this with the Gospel story, but in the first stanza I hear another text: “And oh, how his beauty transforms us, the wonder of presence abiding. Transparent hearts give reflection of Tabor’s light within.” Transfiguration is Jesus’, but it is also to be ours.

Narcissus

The Latin poet Ovid wrote Metamorphoses, which includes myths of humans changing into other forms. One well-known story is that of Narcissus. The beautiful youth fell in love with his own reflection in a pool, was unable to leave this unreciprocated love, died there by the pool, and became a flower.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders, someone with the personality disorder of “narcissism” displays a grandiose sense of self-importance and a preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love. A narcissist believes that they are “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions). They require excessive admiration, bear a sense of entitlement, take advantage of others to achieve their own ends, and are unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.

This sounds familiar. We see narcissism in politics, business, media influencers and religious leaders. What about ourselves? Narcissism has infected the culture and affected us all.

Metamorphoses

“Metamorphoses” in Greek translates as “transfiguration.” The New Testament has the word only two other times, which are commonly translated as “transformed”: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Rom. 12:2, NIV) and, “We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18, NIV).

In 2 Corinthians Paul also refers to the shining face of Moses, then he writes,

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God . . . For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. (2 Cor. 4:4, 6 NIV)

This is the transfiguration I hear in Father Landry’s song.

May we look at our Lord through the Scriptures by the Spirit so that we might reflect his glory.

May we overcome Narcissism, that others see Christ’s glorious reflection in us transfigured.