Transfiguration of the Lord

The Transfiguration is told in all three synoptic Gospels, and always at the same point: right after Peter has recognized Jesus as the Christ, and right after the first announcement of the Passion. Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him and goes up a mountain to pray. As he prays, his appearance changes: his face shines, his clothes become dazzling white. Beside him appear Moses and Elijah — the Law and the Prophets — and they talk with him. Peter, not knowing what to say, suggests putting up three tents so they can stay there. Then a cloud covers them, and a voice says: “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.” The account is made of three things: a mountain, a prayer, a light. Tradition has identified the mountain as Mount Tabor, in Galilee. Peter speaks of it in his second letter too, saying that he did not follow cleverly invented stories but was an eyewitness of his majesty. The feast is celebrated on August 6 in all the great Christian Churches. In the East it is one of the major solemnities of the year, and on that day the first fruits are blessed — grapes, above all. On August 6, 1978, Paul VI died, on this very feast, which was his favorite.