The Transfiguration of the Lord

August 6 is the Feast of the Transfiguration. This day commemorates the day Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, traditionally thought to be Mount Tabor. This is recounted in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Peter, James, and John witnessed the event.

This event is a foreshadowing of heaven, when we will see God face to face in all of His glory.

Daily Mass Readings for the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

In addition to the suggested readings below, the readings may also be taken from the weekday readings or the Common of Pastors.

• First Reading – Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14:”One like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 97: “The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.”
• Second Reading – 2 Peter 1:16-19: “We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.”
• Gospel (Year A) – Matthew 17:1-9: “Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.”
• Gospel (Year B) – Mark 9:2-10: “Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, ‘Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.”
• Gospel (Year C) – Luke 9:28b-36: “While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my chosen Son; listen to him.’”

Mountain Time

This lesson plan on mountains in the Bible will help youth understand the significance of the many references to mountains in scripture. We will discuss why mountains are seen as a place to encounter God and think about how we can go to the mountaintop.

Ups and Downs – Reflection and Discussion Questions

This reflection on the Transfiguration will help youth consider the ups and downs of life. Sometimes we are in a really great place, but eventually we have to come down the mountain.

The Transfiguration – Lego Video

This engaging video tells the story of the Transfiguration with Legos. Kids of all ages will appreciate this presentation of this passage from the Gospel.

The Mystical Transfiguration of Christ

From Bishop Robert Barron. “The story of the Transfiguration of Christ has beguiled the Christian mind for centuries. It is the clearest New Testament evocation of mystical experience, the experience of spiritual things within the ordinary and the keen conviction that the spiritual reality is greater and more beautiful than ordinary experience. ‘Mystical’ means there has been contact with a Person: the person of God.”

Why Does the Transfiguration Matter?

From Scott Hahn. “Unlike Christmas or Easter, the Feast of the Transfiguration isn’t usually marked by any special celebration. But there are key elements of the Transfiguration that merit closer attention, especially some of Jesus’ more mysterious sayings which we find in all three synoptic Gospels. On this episode of The Road to Emmaus, Scott Hahn unpacks the meaning behind the Transfiguration and why it matters.  “

The Feast of the Transfiguration reminds us that we are called to experience being in touch with Christ so that, enlightened by his light, we might bear it and make it shine everywhere like tiny lamps of the Gospel that bear a little bit of love and hope.

Pope Francis

In this quote, Pope Francis reminds us that the apostles encountered a dazzling white Jesus Christ on the mountain. Like them, we must allow ourselves to soak in the light of Christ. And then we must take that out to the world, spreading His light to all people.

Let us keep our eyes fixed on the resplendent face of God, whom we contemplate in Christ transfigured on Mount Tabor. He is the light that illuminates the events of every day.

Pope Francis