Jesus' Transfiguration Celebrated as Key Event in Christian Faith

The Transfiguration of Jesus, described in the Gospels, recounts how Jesus was transformed before the apostles Peter, James and John on a mountain, his appearance shining with divine light. The event is commemorated as a major feast in the Christian liturgical calendar.

Commentators such as Pope Benedict XVI have highlighted the theological significance, noting that the disciples witnessed a glimpse of divine glory that prepared them for the coming Passion. Pope Francis has also referenced the Transfiguration in recent Angelus messages, urging believers to follow the way of Jesus toward happiness.

Analyses of the biblical text explore the meaning of the term “transfiguration,” its Latin roots, and its placement in Luke’s Gospel, linking it to Jesus’ proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The episode is presented as a pivotal moment that reveals Jesus as the living Torah and the embodiment of God’s kingdom.