PURE AND FIERY - A: Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

First Reading: Dan 7:9-10; 13-14 (6 August 2023)

“His robe was white as snow, the hair of his head as pure as wool. His throne was a blaze of flames, its wheels were a burning fire. A stream of fire poured out, issuing from his presence” (Dan 7:9).

In Daniel’s vision, the coming of the so-called Son of Man is described as a fascinating event. It is distinguished by the coming of four terrifying beasts brought by the four winds of heaven on the great sea (vv. 2-7). At a time when these beasts are either slain or have lost their dominion, “one like the son of man” would come riding on the clouds (vv. 12-14). His outward appearance and authority would be awesome to the point that “all nations, peoples, and tongues will serve him” (v. 14). The biblical text concretely points out that these beasts refer to “four kings which shall arise on the earth” (v. 17), but whose reigns would end by the Son of Man’s advent. Subsequently, when this event transpires, “all the kingdoms under the heavens shall be given to the people of the holy ones of the Most High, whose kingship shall be an everlasting kingship, whom all dominions shall serve and obey” (v. 27). In the final scene, the Son of Man would be victorious at the end.

This eschatological figure has two main characteristics in Daniel 7. First, he is inferred to be pure. It is metaphorically expressed by his physical countenance, i.e., “[h]is clothing was white as snow, the hair of his head like pure wool” (v. 9). In biblical language, the image of “snow” placed side-by-side “wool” denotes moral purity. In this regard, it is mentioned in the Book of Isaiah, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (1:18). This remark is a part of Isaiah’s vision on the imperative for the kingdom of Judah to repent immediately: “Wash yourself clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil” (v. 16). Accordingly, the expressions “white as snow” and “pure as wool” in the Book of Daniel symbolize that the Son of Man is unblemished in his moral stance.

There could be no fault seen in him, and he becomes a perfect model of sanctity and righteousness for us.

Second, the Son of Man is presented to be fiery in his coming. Notably, “[h]is throne was a blaze of flames, its wheels were a burning fire. A stream of fire poured out, issuing from his presence” (Dan 7:9). The illustration of flames, fire, and burning in this episode allegorically indicates enthusiasm, courage, and fieriness in witnessing to the truth and correcting the wrong of leaders and individuals. In Isaiah, this boldness is magnified to mean God’s punishing act of the impious: “The Lord will make his glorious voice heard, and reveal his arm coming down in raging fury and flame of consuming fire, in tempest, and rainstorm, and hail. For at the voice of the Lord, Assyria will be shattered, as he strikes with the rod (30:30-31).” In sum, the analogy of fire connotes making persons in authority accountable for the faults that they have done.

A blazing fire can be used as a purgative instrument to render judgment and condemn evil in society.

Along these lines, we are all called to imitate the Son of Man daily in our lives. We should be courageous enough to confront the errors of people—even of those in authority—especially when terrors and fear are perpetuated because of their evil deeds. The only caveat is that we should try our best to be morally blameless to gain credibility as an authentic prophetic voice.

- Rex Fortes, CM