Gospel in Art - As Jesus prayed, His clothing became brilliant as lightning

The Transfiguration of Christ by Gerard David 1520 © Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, Bruges

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 13th March 2022 - Luke 9:28-36

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning. Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, 'Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' - He did not know what he was saying. As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, 'This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.' And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen.

Reflection on the Triptych

Today's Gospel reading recounts the Transfiguration which confirms that Christ is the fulfilment of all Scripture. On the mountain, Jesus is flanked on either side by Moses (the giver of the Law) and Elijah (the great prophet who proclaimed the One true God). With His clothing becoming 'brilliant as lightning', Jesus' identity is further confirmed when the voice from the cloud says: 'This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.' Whilst Mark and Matthew also write about the Transfiguration, Luke gives us a small extra detail which is beautiful. Luke accounts that Moses and Elijah were having a conversation about what Jesus was to 'accomplish' in Jerusalem. They didn't discuss what might happen to Jesus in Jerusalem or about the injustice He would face. No, they discussed what Jesus would accomplish.

During this time of Lent we can maybe reflect on what Jesus has accomplished for us: what He has done in the past and what He is doing for us right now. Our painting by Gerard David follows closely today's Gospel reading, almost to the letter. Whatever is mentioned in our reading is depicted: the prophets, the white robe of Jesus, Jerusalem in the background, the other disciples at the foot of the mountain, etc…. The side panels represent the portraits of the donors who commissioned this painting (Anselmus de Boodt on the left and Johanna Voet on the right) and their children. Those side panels were executed by Pieter Pourbus (1523-87) in 1573, about 50 years after the central panel.

The gestures of Peter, John and James in our painting, upon witnessing the Transfiguration, are so expressive and may reflect our own feelings when we think about what Jesus has accomplished for us. We see wonder, shock and amazement...

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/1111
Christian Art - www.christian.art