Novena to the Transforming Light (Day 8, August 13)
August 13, 2026
Fr. John Colacino C.PP.S.
Day 8(August 13)
So they kept the matter to themselves,
questioning what this rising from the dead could mean (Mk. 9:10).
As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven. (1 Cor 15:48-49)
Christ was transfigured to manifest the glory of the cross, to console Peter and the others in their dread of the Passion and to bring their minds to elevated understanding. Those who went up with him did not hold their peace but were destined to speak of the glory which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem—of his Passion and the glory of the cross. And not only did Jesus elevate their understanding, but also he brought their virtues to a higher level, so that they could meet the requirements expected of them. He had just said, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” He then set before them Moses and Elijah, who were ready to die ten thousand times for God’s decrees and for the people entrusted to them. Each of them, having lost his life, found it. For each of them both spoke boldly to tyrants, the one to the Egyptian, the other to Ahab. They spoke on behalf of heartless and disobedient people. They were brought into extreme danger by the very persons who were saved by them. Both desired to lead people away from idolatry. These were not eloquent men. Moses was slow of tongue and dull of speech. Elijah had the crudest sort of appearance. Both were strict observers of voluntary poverty. Moses did not work for worldly gain. Elijah did not possess anything more than his sheepskin.(St. John Chrysostom)
No other solemnity breathes, like this one, at once triumph and peace; none better answers to the enthusiasm of the many and the serenity of souls consummated in love. Assuredly that was as great a triumph when our Lord, rising by his own power from the tomb, cast hell into dismay; but to our souls, so abruptly drawn from the abyss of sorrows on Golgotha, the suddenness of the victory caused a sort of stupor to mingle with the joy of that greatest of days. In presence of the prostrate Angels, the hesitating Apostles, the women seized with fear and trembling, one felt that the divine isolation of the Conqueror of death was perceptible even to his most intimate friends, and kept them, like Magdalene, at a distance.
Mary’s death, however, leaves no impression but peace; that death had no other cause than love. Being a mere creature, she could not deliver herself from that claim of the old enemy; but leaving her tomb filled with flowers, she mounts up to heaven,flowing with delights, leaning upon her Beloved. Amid the acclamations of the daughters of Sion, who will henceforth never cease to call her blessed, she ascends surrounded by choirs of heavenly spirits joyfully praising the Son of God. Nevermore will shadows veil, as they did on earth, the glory of the most beautiful daughter of Eve. Beyond the immovable Thrones, beyond the dazzling Cherubim, beyond the flaming Seraphim, onward she passes, delighting the heavenly city with her sweet perfumes. She stays not till she reaches the very confines of the Divinity; close to the throne of honor where her Son, the King of ages, reigns in justice and in power; there she is proclaimed Queen, there she will reign for evermore in mercy and in goodness.(Dom Prosper Gueranger)
Musical Selection
O Vineyard fair and new, ever freshly blooming. Young, comely, fragrant Stem, springing out of Eden. May God Himself adorn you who are most honored. For you, O brilliant Sun, ever shine with unwaning light.
Prayers
When the chosen apostles beheld upon the mountain of the Transfiguration
the overwhelming flood of Your Light, O unoriginate Christ,
and Your unapproachable divinity,
they were caught up into a divine trance.
The cloud of Light shone around them on every side.
They heard the voice of the Father
confirming the mystery of Your Incarnation,
for even after taking flesh, You remain the Only-begotten Son,
and the Savior of the world!(Orthodox Vespers of the Transfiguration)
Come, O people, let us sing today to Christ our God a song of David! “The virgins that follow her,” he said, “shall be brought to the King. With joy and gladness shall they be brought!” For she, through whom we have been deified, is of the seed of David, and gloriously and ineffably commends herself into the hands of her own Son and Master! Praising her as the Mother of God we cry out to her and say: Save us who confess you, O Theotokos, from all distress and tribulation!(Orthodox Vespers of the Dormition)
