My dear parishioners,
Peace! The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights the “prayer of the rosary” as a popular substitute for the Liturgy of the Hours in the Western Church (§ 2678). In praying the rosary we “meditate on the mysteries of Christ” engaging our “thought, imagination, emotion, and desire” leading not only to “knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus” but “union with Him” (§ 2708). In fact the rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an “epitome of the whole Gospel” and is also an expression of “devotion to the Virgin Mary” (§ 971). Saint John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae (16 October, 2002) proposed that we join to the classic fifteen mysteries contemplating the infancy, passion and resurrection of Christ the Lord, Mysteries of Light which highlight His public life on Earth (RVM, 21). Here we consider the fourth of the Luminous Mysteries, the Transfiguration.
The Sacred Liturgy includes the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord each Summer on the 6th of August. Traditionally this took place on Mount Tabor. Some have posited that it took place on Mount Hermon or another mountain near Ceasarea Philippi. The Prophecy of Daniel 7:9-14 is included in the readings for the Mass of the Transfiguration of the Lord, where “the Ancient One took His throne. His clothing was bright as snow…” It was in view of Mount Calvary where the Lord Jesus’ humanity would be disfigured by the consequences of our sins that He provided this anticipation of His resurrection and glory, to strengthen the faith of Peter, James and John.
Sacred Scripture records the Transfiguration of the Lord in Matthew 17:1-9; Luke 9:28b-36; John1:14; and 2 Peter 1:16-18. The Lord Jesus went up a high mountain with His three best friends, Peter, James, and John, where He revealed His glory, speaking with Moses and Elijah. The voice of the Father was heard “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!” The Apostles bowed down in adoration and awe.
What is the fruit of this mystery? Like Peter, James, and John, we should be friends of the Lord Jesus. Because so much of Sacred Scripture is attributed to the human authorship of Peter, James, John, Moses and the Prophets we should be familiar with the Word of God. Moses has been attributed with the TORAH / Pentateuch / Law. Elijah, while not having a specific book of his own symbolizes all the Prophets, Major and Minor. That the face of the Lord shined like the Sun and His garments became glistening exceedingly white reminds us of the power of His grace to transform us into His holy people with His grace radiating out from us in turn. To the extent that we allow God’s grace to radiate out from us, that we are friends of the Lord and pray with Sacred Scripture we will be beloved adopted children of God most high whom we adore.
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr