The Transfiguration of Our Lord

"The Lord took chosen witnesses and in their presence revealed his glory.  That is to say, the form of body which he had in common with other men, he so transfigured  with light, that his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment became exceeding white, even as snow.  Now the chief purpose of this Transfiguration was to remove from the hearts of the disciples their fear of the Cross.  So, before their eyes, was unveiled the splendour of his hidden majesty, that the lowliness of his freely-chosen suffering might not confound their faith.  But nonetheless there was also thus set forth, by the providence of God, a sure and certain hope for holy Church, whereby the whole Body of Christ should know with what great a change it is yet to be honoured.  For the members of that Body whose Head hath already been transfigured in light may promise themselves a share in his glory.

Also, that the Apostles might be strengthened, and brought forward into all knowledge, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias (that is, the Law and the Prophets), talking with him.  This glorification of Christ took place before five witnesses, as though to fulfil that which is written: At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.  What can be more certain, or better attested, than this matter which is proclaimed by the trumpets of both the Old and the New Testament, and concerning which the witness of ancient testimony uniteth with the teaching of the Gospel?  The pages of either Covenant strengthen one another, and the brightness of open glory maketh manifest and distinct him whom the former prophecies had promised under the veil of mysteries.

The unveiling of such mysteries roused the mind of the Apostle Peter to an outburst of longing for the things eternal, which despised and disdained things worldly and earthly.  Overflowing with gladness at the vision, he yearned to dwell with Jesus there, where the revelation of his glory had rejoiced him.  And so he said: Master, it is good for us to be here; if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one Elias.  To this proposal the Lord answered nothing, signifying that what Peter wished was not wrong, but out of place, since the world could not be saved but by the death of Christ.  And the Lord's example was to call the faith of believers to this, that although we should have no doubts concerning the promise of eternal blessedness, yet we are to understand that, amid the trials of this life, we are to seek for power to endure rather than for glory."

-- From a Sermon by St Leo the Great

** Painting by Nicolas Poussin

The Transfiguration of Christ

"Today we have a votive feast that was introduced into the West by Pope Callistus III (1457) after the victory of St John Capistran over the Turks at Belgrade. In the East, where it is a summer feast of highest rank in honor of Christ the King, it was celebrated on this date already in the fifth century.

[W]e celebrate the marvel of the Lord's transfiguration, a miracle that the Fathers of the Church numbered among the greatest God worked in attestation to Christ's divinity. It was during the second half of His public ministry. Already Calvary's Cross was casting its shadow when Jesus ascended Mount Tabor one evening with His three favored disciples. Night. Jesus prays. His companions drowse away. He continues in prayer, and through the cloak of human nature the brightness of His divinity beams forth. He becomes radiant, glorified. The apostles awake to the blinding light and are witnesses to the miracle.

For us the transfiguration is, and will always remain, heaven's testimony to Christ's divinity. All the miracles of Christ served this end, to reveal the divinity of Christ. Jesus passed His life on earth as a poor, ordinary, simple Jew. But at the transfiguration, one may say, He threw off the dark mantle of humanity and revealed Himself in full divine splendor. In spirit we gaze upon Him glorified and say: 'Lord, I believe. Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Yet another truth is proclaimed in today's mystery, viz., some day we too will be glorified.

What once happened during the night on Mount Tabor happens again every time in the holy Sacrifice is offered. We may see only the simple appearances upon the altar, but with the eyes of faith we behold the glorified Christ; we see, in fact, the King of glory with His court, the saints of the Old and New Covenant. Liturgy actualizes in our very presence the sanctifying act of Christ at His transfiguration.

It is, therefore, not only Christ who becomes transfigured - He allows me to share His glory. The holy Eucharist is the sacrament of transfiguration, for it is 'the seed of glory.' The purpose of the liturgy is the divine transfiguration of the participants. [...] [T]he one great concern of the Church and the aim of all liturgy - to make the members of the Mystical Body participate ever more fully in Christ's divine glory."

-- The Church's Year of Grace by Dr Pius Parsch

To learn more about Mount Tabor, please visit this site.