405 part ii: meditations for more solemn feasts FOR THE FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION Before Holy Communion 1. “[H]e was transfigured before them” (Mt 17:2). Consider that Christ’s disciples believed that they associated only with a man and not also with God; and for that reason, Christ was transfigured before them, so that they would recognize that He is both man and God; and so that having recognized it, they would profess it; and having professed it, they would preach it. Thus, when the same Christ sometimes gives you in Holy Communion signs of His divinity, that is, spiritual delights, He does it so that you may suffer more willingly for Him, and having suffered, you may profess Him, since nobody professes Christ better than he who follows Him through adversities. 2. “[H]is face shone like the sun, and [H]is garments became white as light” (Mt 17:2). Consider that light and whiteness particularly suit divinity. For that reason, the God-Man Jesus appears to the disciples with a luminous face and in shining white clothes. Therefore, these two attributes, light and whiteness, are the true signs of the true servants of God: the light of good work, and the whiteness of innocence and honesty. May Christ transform you today into Himself so that your soul may shine with the light of virtues and your heart may become white with candid intentions! Truly, you should work hard that you may be similar to God in your countenance and in your behavior, that you may appear, both internally and externally, a true servant of God. 3. “there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with [H]im” (Mt 17:3). Ponder this: if you want to see the transfigured Christ in Heaven, in conformity with the evangelical teaching, you should pay attention to the observance of the law and strive for contemplation. It is not without reason that Moses and Elijah appeared, conversing with Christ, to Christ’s disciples. Through Christ the evangelical counsels are indicated; through Moses, the divine
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