Hey there,
Tomorrow, on August 6th, we’ll celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration … one of the key events in Jesus’ life.
Just to refresh your memory, this was when Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain, and He was transfigured with His face shining bright like the sun and His robes a dazzling white.
Moses and Elijah appeared. Then the Father’s voice came from the cloud, telling the disciples, “This is my beloved Son … listen to him.”
There’s much more to this remarkable event, and the resources below explore its rich meaning and lessons we can draw from it.
But perhaps the message that resonates most with me is that, at times, the Lord allows us to glimpse His glory, strengthening our faith.
Throughout salvation history, the Lord has revealed Himself to His people in extraordinary ways like Noah, Abraham, and Moses, to name a few.
There have been apparitions of Mary in Belgium, France, the Czech Republic, Mexico, and many other parts of the world.
And even today people are still reporting apparitions, like in Medjugorje, Bosnia.
But I don’t believe an apparition is necessary for us to receive a message from the Lord, witness His glory, or catch a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven that awaits us.
Every day … all around us … there are opportunities to recognize the glory of God.
The brilliant colors of a sunrise at dawn.
The beauty of a rainbow after a rainstorm.
The birth of a newborn baby.
Sometimes we lose sight of God’s glory because we are too focused on the difficulties we face.
That’s why the Transfiguration is so special. It reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on God’s glory and on our ultimate destination … heaven … even when life is difficult.
This week’s issue of Genuflect looks more closely at the Lord’s Transfiguration … what happened, the various symbolisms of the event, important takeaways for us, and what a Pope said about it.
And this week, be on the lookout for signs of God’s glory in the world around you!
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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What Was The Transfiguration?
The Transfiguration is covered in both the Gospels of Saint Mark and Saint Matthew. This event was foreshadowed in the Old Testament. Here’s more about what took place, as well as the commonalities with God’s revelation to Moses on Mount Sinai.
What Was The Transfiguration? | Simply Catholic
10 Things About The Transfiguration
The Transfiguration of Our Lord is hard to understand. Why did it happen? What did it mean? Here are 10 things you need to know.
10 Things You Need to Know About Jesus’ Transfiguration | National Catholic Register
7 Symbols From The Transfiguration
In Pope Benedict XVI’s book Jesus of Nazarath, he looks at the meaning of the Transfiguration. Here are 7 symbols and their meaning from Pope Benedict’s commentary.
7 Symbols From The Gospel Account of The Transfiguration, as Explained by Benedict XVI | Aleteia
5 Theological Truths of The Transfiguration
There was a lot going on at Christ’s Transfiguration. As we contemplate the mystery, it can be challenging to know what we should take from it. Here are 5 theological truths that Saint Thomas Aquinas suggests we can see in the Transfiguration.
5 Theological Truths to See in The Transfigured Christ | Aleteia
Transfiguring Our Expectations
Too often we think that if we are faithful and pray long enough that we will not experience suffering. But Jesus doesn’t make this promise. However, through the Transfiguration, He does provide a glimpse of our eternal reward. Megan Hjelmstad explains how we should transfigure our expectations.
Transfiguring Our Expectations | Blessed is She
Why Grapes Are Blessed on The Transfiguration
This is interesting: “The feast of the Transfiguration has been celebrated on August 6 since at least the 11th century, and along with it, a blessing of fruit was once observed by Roman Catholics and is still maintained by many Eastern Catholics today.” Here’s why.
Here’s Why Grapes And Other Fruits Are Blessed on The Transfiguration | Aleteia
Ways to Celebrate The Transfiguration
At times it’s fun to integrate the Church’s feast days into our meal planning. There aren’t a lot of options around for the Transfiguration, but Jennifer Gregory Miller supplies a few ideas here.
The Transfiguration: August 6 | Catholic Culture
Prayer of The Transfiguration
Here’s a prayer you can pray to ask Jesus to help open your heart to listen to Him and do His will.
Learn to Listen to Jesus With This Prayer of The Transfiguration | Aleteia
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