Transfiguration Sunday
The celebration of Transfiguration Sunday began at the time of the Reformation. It is a fitting end to the Epiphany season, which declares that the Babe of Bethlehem is God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God. On the holy mountain, Jesus is again manifest with divine glory, proving to all people that He is the divine savior. He does not stay on the mount, but descends in order to go to Jerusalem toward the hill of Calvary. On this Sunday we see His glory in order that we may believe in His loving sacrifice.
The Gradual is taken from the Messianic Psalm, number 2. The transfiguration of Jesus shows that He “is fairer than the children of men.” In Psalm 2, God speaks to His Son, inviting Him to sit at His right hand in majesty and glory. This is the glory that Jesus always had but did not show while He was on earth. After Jesus defeated our enemies, we are to “show forth His salvation from day to day” as we “declare His glory among all the nations.