Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

First Saturday of the Month

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 54 Letters or Gifts for Monks

Mass: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; Resp Ps 97; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Lk 9:28b-36

All peoples see His glory.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

HEART OF MARY, LIKE UNTO THE HEART OF GOD,

PRAY FOR US.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, 

His kingship shall not be destroyed.

(Dn 7:14)

Welcome to the First Saturday of the Month and the celebration of the Feast of Transfiguration of the Lord. Listen to the voice from the cloud that said: This is my beloved Son; listen to Him (Lk 9:35). United as we are, baptized into the family of faith, we too are the beloved children of God. As brothers and sisters, may we listen to the Lord with open hearts and minds. We enter into this day before the Sabbath, usually a day full of things to do like yard work, cleaning this or that like the parish or monastery church, laundry, cooking, shopping, and so on, with something to ponder: "The true miracle of the Transfiguration is not the shining face or the white garments, but the fact that for the rest of the time Jesus hid His glory so well" (Universalis). It is wonderful in our eyes. Amen.

Jesus goes up before us to show us the way, both up the mountain and into heaven, and-I speak boldly- it is for us now to follow Him with all speed, yearning for the heavenly vision that will give us a share in His radiance, renew our spiritual nature and transform us into His own likeness, making us forever sharers in His Godhead and raising us to heights as yet undreamed of ...

It is indeed good to be here, as you have said, Peter. It is good to be with Jesus and to remain here for ever. What greater happiness or higher honor could we have than to be with God, to be made like Him and to live in His light?

(From a sermon on the transfiguration of the Lord by Anastasius of Sinai, bishop, in Office of Readings, August 6)

NB. I was reminded that the month of August is especially dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. From today forward then, after addressing her as Queen of Peace, we will invoke the Blessed Mother with a title from the Litany of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

Today's photo: This image of the icon of the Transfiguration of the Lord is used with permission of the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel, OR. The icon hangs in their chapel at Queen of Angels Monastery. The icon is through the hands of the Iconographic Arts Institute. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light.

© Gertrude Feick 2022