Feast of Transfiguration

Many people remember today as the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The atomic bomb which killed more than 140,000 in Hiroshima was nicknamed 'Little Boy'. While many people believe that this atomic bombing hastened the end of WW2, others disagree and argue that Japan had exhausted all her military resources. Sooner of later, she would surrender whether USA dropped the 'Little Boy' or not. Unfortunately, history is not a science in which we can do experiment with. We could not undo the bombing and observe the outcome.

Human beings are rather helpless before Destiny. USA rushed to develop an Atomic Bomb because Nazi Germany had developed rocket technology (the notorious V2 bombs that terrorized Great Britain). Moreover, they seemed to be developing atomic bombs to win the war. Many scientists, including Albert Einstein, wrote to the US president, urging him to approve researches on developing atomic bombs before Nazi Germany succeeded. In the end, Germany surrendered before witnessing the detonation of the 'Little Boy'. Rather, it was her ally in the Far East, Japan, that bore the brunt of atomic annihilation. Human beings are helpless before Fate.

Tonight, my father called. Mum had drunk three quarters of a bottle of brandy. Previously, she finished a bottle in three days. Then two. She has become not only alcoholic, but also suicidal. My younger brother does not marry in order to take care of the aging couple. He must have been heavily stressed. He has already sent some distress signals before. As the eldest son, I have a share of duty to bear. I will spend a few days in Chai Wan. May God have mercy on her soul, help me to console her.

Today, we read the Matthean version of the Transfiguration story. The three Synoptic Gospels agree in most parts the same story but each has its own peculiarity.

1. While both Matthew and Mark put Transfiguration six days after Peter's Declaration of the Messiahship of Jesus (Matthew 17:1, Mark 9:2), Luke put it eight days (Luke 9:28)!
2. Both Matthew and Luke mentioned the appearance of Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus (Matthew 17:3, Luke 9:30), Mark had Elijah and Moses instead. The order was exchanged (Mark 9:4). It should be noted that when Peter said he wanted to build three booths for them, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah (Matthew 17:4, Mark 9:5, Luke 9:33). All three Synoptic Gospels follow the same order in this case while for some unknown reason, Mark put Elijah before Moses when they were first mentioned.
3. Both Mark and Luke say that Peter was overwhelmed by the sight. He did not know what he was saying (Mark 9:6, Luke 9:33), Matthew did not paint Peter in such an unfavourable light (Matthew 17:5).
4. While all three report God's voice declaring that Jesus was the Son of God and instructing them to listen to himself, only Matthew added "... with whom I am well pleased ...", deliberately linking this epiphany with that at Jesus' baptism. Notice that this tradition has the support from 2 Peter 1:17.
5. While all three report that the three apostles kept silent of what they had witness, Luke did not report that it was Jesus who forbade them to speak. Luke also did not record the question about Elijah the disciples asked Jesus after Transfiguration.

These are interesting points because we may probably help us figure out the relationship among the three gospels. Was there any dependency among them? Did Matthew base his gospel on Mark, improving on the contents as well as grammar? All these are interesting ideas and I am sure they make good topics for writing papers or even graduation thesis. Point#5 may not be very promising because the absence of evidence can mean anything.

My dear Advocate, I worry about my parents and my younger brother. We are not living together. Please keep their in Your loving care and allow me to do some positive things for them. Amen.