Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
By Beth DeCristofaro
The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed. (Dan 7:14)
…we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Pet 1:19)
While (Jesus) was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. … Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” (Lk 9: 29, 35)
Piety
I will build a tent for you, Jesus, within my heart; so that I will remain always assured of how securely you rest there. Help me to offer the refuge of that tent to others. May your grace and love transform each moment of my day into a holy moment full of Your promises. Amen
Study
http://www.usccb.org/nab/080607.shtml
Transfiguration: The mysterious event in which Jesus, seen speaking with Moses and Elijah on the mountain, was transformed in appearance – in the sight of Peter, James and John – as a moment of disclosure of his divine glory.[1]
The apocalyptic language of Daniel, the psalmody of David, the prophetic voice of Peter all try to describe the indescribable. They attempt to bring into human words and understanding the reality of God which, humanly speaking, we can only glimpse in incomplete fragments. They tried to describe what Peter, James and John were awestruck to witness: the glory of God’s Son in its brilliance and power and the essential service and sacrifice of God’s Son.
Jesus came to transfigure the covenant and the law to a new order. Jesus’ love transfigures and changes us through his love and grace. In saying yes to this transfiguration, we are asked to accept that Jesus loves us so much that he offers us transfiguration into the best kind of human being possible – just as He lived as the best kind of human being possible. And He asks us to extend the power of His love and grace, and work to transfigure the world into the Kingdom.
Action
We need to imagine and dream that as transfigured and graced believers we too have the power and the responsibility to afford this same experience to others. If we look at all those we meet in the summer days ahead – the sad, the lonely, the discouraged, the needy, the homeless, the hungry, the thirsty, the lost and the unloved and think of each of them as candidates for transfiguration. In what ways in this week ahead will you and I be the channels through which God will afford those in need the grace of transfiguration? Where will be the opportunities for us – the chances at saving others by our love? We know the opportunities are endless. We know the responsibility is ours. Will we use this blessed season to realize our transformation and to transform the others in love? [2]
1 Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Edition, 1997, p. 901.
[2] Homily from the Feast of Transfiguration,
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