Transfiguration Cloud

This is the fruit of an Ignatian exercise on Friday 11-14-2008, contemplating Christ at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8). I humbly offer this as pure speculation. I have no idea how it stands theologically.

What struck me about this passage, which I had never noticed before was that “a bright cloud cast a shadow over them.” I wondered if the cloud is bright then how is it that it can cast a shadow… [If the light is coming from the cloud wouldn’t it shine light]? Bright things usually illuminate other things. Then it occurred to me that the cloud is bright because there is a greater light behind it. If the cloud is blocking the light, as earthly clouds block the sun, then this cloud will cast a shadow. This made me see that the Father is covered with this cloud and the Father’s light shines through it and around it, such that the full greatness of Him is kept from our vision (cf Exodus 24:16-18). Later as I read that the cloud is the Holy Spirit (CCC 555), it occurred to me that this overshadowing is like that which God’s messenger Gabriel said would overshadow Mary so that she would conceive Jesus and He would be called holy and the Son of God(Luke 1:35). So here the cloud overshadows the Apostles, Moses and Elijah at the inception of the Church. Is it right to say that God conceived the Church in them? Certainly the Church is not the invention of man but men have cooperated with the Holy Spirit just as Mary cooperated with the Holy Spirit. The National Catholic Register wrote in their Guide to the Rosary that Peter, James and John, whom Jesus chose to witness the transfiguration, were thus rewarded for three acts of piety:
1. Saying yes to Christ’s invitation
2. Praying
3. Staying close to Jesus
This is what we honor Mary for doing at the Annunciation when she heard the good news that she would bare Christ. Mary was likewise rewarded for:
1. Saying yes to be God’s handmaid (Luke 1:38)
2. Praying and keeping these things in her heart (Luke 2:19)
3. Staying close to Jesus
So I think that this idea has merit… that the Apostles bore and raised the Church as Mary bore and raised Jesus. That brings up the question, when was the Church conceived rather than born or instituted (Jesus instituted the Church at His Ascension Matthew 28:18-20)? It may be that the Church was announced at the Transfiguration, conceived at the Last Supper, labored for at the Crucifixion and born at the Resurrection. Indeed, as scripture says, this child was born quickly…

Isaiah 66:7-8

7Before she was in labour, she brought forth; before her time came to be delivered, she brought forth a man child.

8Who hath ever heard such a thing? and who hath seen the like to this? shall the earth bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be brought forth at once, because Sion hath been in labour, and hath brought forth her children?

Resource:
National Catholic Register – Guide to the Rosary, Copyright 2003 Circle Media Inc., pg 25