The Lectionary for Mass is the book that contains all of the readings for mass throughout the year. That book’s introduction explains that on all Sundays, the Old Testament reading is thematically linked to the Gospel. For example, the Old Testament reading for the Christmas Vigil Mass is taken from Isaiah, where the prophet announces that God will visit His people: as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you (Is 62:5). The connection between God visiting His people and Christmas is clear. In today’s readings, however, the connection is not so clear – though once properly understood it is just as striking.
In today’s Gospel, we have St. Mark’s account of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Jesus takes Peter, James and John up to the mountain top where he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them (Mk 9:2-3). The Old Testament reading, on the other hand, is the account of the Binding of Isaac, where God orders Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only Son – but provides a substitutionary ram at the last moment: Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son (Gn 22:13). What is the connection between the Transfiguration and the Binding? How can there be harmony between radiant glory and substitutionary sacrifice?
The connection becomes clear once we understand the symbolism of Isaac’s binding. According to Origen, an early Church Father, Isaac and the ram are both figures of Christ. Isaac represents Christ according to the Spirit, whereas the ram represents Christ according to the flesh. That is, Isaac represents Christ’s divinity and the ram represents his humanity. Christ dies according to the Flesh, but in his divinity he remains incorruptible. The Transfiguration, then, reveals Christ as the perfect sacrifice. He is the beloved Son, whom the Father handed over for us all (Rom 8:32). Yet soon, Christ will climb another mountain, carrying the wood of the Cross on His shoulders. He will suffer. He will die. And yet, death cannot hold Him. During this season of Lent, we must take up our cross and follow him. For as St. Paul says, if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him (Rom 6:8).
Ian Mahood – St. Joseph Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta
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