As the time of the Passion approaches, the foreboding of the disciples grows. Jesus sustains them with this vivid manifestation of himself in glory. On the holy mountain of revelation they see him transformed. It was a real visual experience, though described in symbols familiar from the Bible – brilliant white clothes, and so on. Moses and Elijah are seen there because they also had experienced the vision of God on the holy mountain: Moses when he had received the Law from God on Mount Sinai; Elijah when he encountered God in the cave on Mount Horeb. The disciples were frightened, confused and overcome at the awesome experience, and yet, at the same time, comforted in such a way that Peter wanted to prolong it. Their reaction to the presence of the Lord will later be reflected by that of Christian mystics – both a reassuring terror and a frightening homeliness, the awareness of a presence which is awesome yet comforting – an experience which cannot fully be put into words. The Voice from Heaven is an echo of the Voice heard at Jesus’ Baptism. There, however, the Voice was addressed to Jesus, whereas here it is spoken to the disciples, proclaiming Jesus as authorized teacher, the one who speaks with the authority of the Beloved Son. When and how do you meet Jesus? How do you respond to God? Are you frightened of God, or is God a comfort to you?