“After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.” (Luke 9:36.)
Saint Ephrem the Syrian offers the following insight on these verses from today’s Gospel proclamation:
“As they came down from the mountain, he commanded them, “You must not speak openly of what you have seen to anyone.” Why did he command this? He said this because he knew that others would not believe them but would take them for fools. They would say, “Do you know where Elijah came from?” and “See, Moses is buried, and no one has succeeded in finding his grave.” There would be blasphemy and scandal because of this. He said, “Wait until you have received the power,” because when you will speak and they will not believe, you will raise the dead for their confusion and your own glory.” (Commentary on Tatian’s Diatessaron, 14.)
Collect
O God,
Who in the glorious Transfiguration
of your Only Begotten Son
confirmed the mysteries of faith
by the witness of the Fathers
and wonderfully prefigured
our full adoption to sonship,
grant, we pray, to your servants,
that, listening to the voice of your beloved Son,
we may merit to become co-heirs with him.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Who in the glorious Transfiguration
of your Only Begotten Son
confirmed the mysteries of faith
by the witness of the Fathers
and wonderfully prefigured
our full adoption to sonship,
grant, we pray, to your servants,
that, listening to the voice of your beloved Son,
we may merit to become co-heirs with him.
Who lives and reigns with You
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Glory to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen
