This Friday, August 6, is the Feast of the Transfiguration. On this day, we celebrate one of the most important events in Jesus’ life, as recorded in Sacred Scripture. Jesus takes James, John, and Peter up a mountain to pray. Before the eyes of the disciples, Jesus transfigures into “dazzling white,” and the prophets Moses and Elijah appear alongside Jesus. The gospel reading for the Feast of the Transfiguration is Mark 9:2-10 (we heard the same reading on the second Sunday of Lent).
In preparation for the Feast of the Transfiguration or on the day, you might contemplate this beautiful painting by Raphael with your kids. You can begin by reading Mark 9:2-10 from your family Bible or a children’s bible. Then present the painting to your children.
Tell your children that you want to share a beautiful painting with them that shows the same story about Jesus that you read in Scripture. Here’s a script that you can read aloud as your children ponder the painting. (This is the same script included in my Lenten Lectio Divina booklet for the second week of Lent.)
Presentation
“The Transfiguration” was Raphael’s last work before he died on Good Friday in 1520. What is happening here? We find two different New Testament scenes. The Transfiguration of Jesus fills the upper part of the painting while story of the possessed boy fills the lower space.
In the Transfiguration scene, Jesus raises his hands toward the Father in Heaven while Elijah (left) and Moses (right) gaze upon Jesus. Jesus is suspended in light and billowing clouds. At the feet of Christ are his apostles, from left to right, James, Peter, and John. The apostles shield their eyes from the brilliance of their Lord. What do you imagine they are thinking and feeling?
In the bottom scene, the nine disciples who didn’t climb the mountain with Jesus are seen on the left. They are attempting to heal the possessed boy, but it isn’t working. Matthew (in blue) consults his books; the boy’s father (in green) looks frantic. The scene seems chaotic.
Why would the artist put two seemingly unconnected stories in the same painting? The two scenes are occurring at the same time in the gospels: During the Transfiguration on the mountain, the nine disciples left behind are trying to heal the boy. In the painting, people point to the boy; they seem to be entreating the disciples to help. A few of the disciples point to Christ. They know Christ is the answer. In the gospels, after Jesus comes down the mountain, the father begs him to heal his son, and Jesus does. In desperate situations, we must pray and trust in Christ.
Let your children ponder the painting for a few days. What do they think of the colors used for the upper part of the painting compared to the lower part?
Printable
Here’s a printable version of this presentation along with a full-page copy of the painting.