This weekend we see Jesus in a way that we have never seen Him before. He goes up to a mountain top with just a few of His friends and, before their very eyes, He is “transfigured,” with His clothes turning dazzling white. In this story Jesus is revealed as a glorious figure. What did this mean? In the Transfiguration, Jesus connected visibly with His heavenly Father (who spoke “from the heavens”) and the Father’s plan for His Son’s suffering, death and resurrection was defined. In addition, this experience aimed at making His disciples aware of who Jesus really was…not a conquering political Messiah. On the mountain Jesus is identified by the heavenly Voice as the Son of God. Thus, the transfiguration narrative is a “Christophany,” that is, a manifestation or revelation of who Jesus really is. Describing Jesus’ transfiguration, the Gospel gives us a glimpse of the heavenly glory awaiting those of us who do God’s will and put our trust in Him. When you think about it, we also experiences “transformations or transfigurations” in our own lives. The first change begins at Baptism which transforms us into children of God and heirs of heaven. The second transformation takes place through our daily triumphs over the trials and tribulations of life. Every challenge, every difficulty, every moment of suffering, is an opportunity for transformation and spiritual growth. The third transformation takes place at our death. Eternal life in heaven is granted to those who have been found worthy of eternal life in peace, looking upon the face of Jesus. This sounds great to me!!! On the side of the Peabody Hotel in Orlando, Florida, there is a cutout of a large duck symbolizing what came to be known as "The March of the Ducks." Each day at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., the hotel people lay down a dazzling red carpet across the lobby. Then one of John Phillip Sousa's famous marches is played over the intercom. Whereupon, ten ducks, in single file, march down the red carpet in perfect harmony with the Sousa march. The ducks take a dip in the hotel fountain and then march out again in single file, down the red carpet, keeping perfectly in step with the beat of the music. For those who have witnessed "The March of the Ducks," it is an event so vivid and real and uplifting and fun-filled that it's difficult to find the right words to describe the wonder and the beauty of it -- much less try to convince someone that it is true. Today's Gospel Lesson describes an event called the “transfiguration of Jesus” so wondrous and so beautiful as to defy all description. GOSPEL QUESTION OF THE WEEK: You have the power to “transform” the lives of others for the good. Are you up to it?