Gospel in Art: Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ

Transfiguration (Cell 6), by Fra Angelico, 1440-1442 © Convento di San Marco, Florence

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 6 August 2023
Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. 'Lord,' he said 'it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.' When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. 'Stand up,' he said 'do not be afraid.' And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.

As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, 'Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.'

Reflection on the fresco

This fresco of the Transfiguration by Fra Angelico (1395-1455), is on the wall of Cell 6 of the Convento di San Marco in Florence. We see Christ standing on a rock, prefiguring his rising from the tomb. His arms are outstretched, foreshadowing his crucifixion. He is dressed in 'clothes as white as the light' as in our Gospel reading today. Encircling him is a radiant white mandorla (a pointed oval reserve). He looks down at three of the Apostles who are crouched at the base of the rock in awed positions. They however maintain a curious contemplative detachment from the dramatic content of the scene.

On the edges of the fresco, we see the shading figures of Our Lady and St Dominic holding a prayerful pose. Above them the heads of Moses and Elijah appear. While a Dominican friar at San Marco's monastery in Florence, Fra Angelico was commissioned to paint frescoes in the meeting rooms and dormitory cells of the lay brothers, novices, and clergy. With the help of assistants, he painted more than 40 frescoes at San Marco.

Peter's comment in our Gospel reading is really beautiful. He simply says 'Master, it is wonderful for us to be here'. It is an exclamation which can find an echo in our own lives. We can all think of those moments in our lives when we too felt it is wonderful to be here, and where we really felt God's presence. The Lord gives us those special moments when we truly feel his presence in order to sustain us on our life journey.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-17-1-9-2023-2/