Novena to the Transforming Light (Day 6, Aug 11)
August 11, 2025
Day 6 (August 11)
Suddenly when they looked around,
they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus (Mk. 9:8).
What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. (1 Cor 15: 42b-44)
Our Saviour then when transfigured did not lose the substance of real flesh, but showed forth the glory of His own or of our future resurrection; for such as He then appeared to the Apostles, He will after the judgment appear to all His elect. It goes on, “And His raiment became shining.”. If the transfigured humanity of Christ and the society of but two saints seen for a moment, could confer delight to such a degree that Peter would, even by serving them, stay their departure, how great a happiness will it be to enjoy the vision of Deity amidst choirs of Angels forever? It goes on, “For he wist not what to say; "although, however, Peter from the stupor of human frailty knew not what to say, still he gives a proof of the feelings which were within him; for the cause of his not knowing what to say, was his forgetting that the kingdom was promised to the Saints by the Lord not in any earthly region, but in heaven; he did not remember that he and his fellow Apostles were still hemmed in by mortal flesh and could not bear the state of immortal life, to which his soul had already carried him away, because in our Father’s house in heaven, a house made with hands is not needed. But again even up to this time he is pointed at, as an ignorant man, who wishes to make three tabernacles for the Law, the Prophets, and the Gospel, since they in no way can be separated from each other. Now because Peter sought for amaterial tabernacle, he was covered with the shadow of the cloud, that he might learn that in the resurrection they are to be protected not by the covering of houses, but by the glory of the Holy Spirit. Wherefore it goes on, “There was a cloud that overshadowed them. "And the reason why they obtained no answer from the Lord was that they asked unadvisedly; but the Father answered for theSon.Wherefore there follows, “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”. And by the garments of the Lord are meant His saints, who will shine with a new whiteness. By the fuller we must understand Him, to whom the Psalmist says, “Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin;” for He cannot give to His faithful ones upon earth that glory which remains laid up for them in heaven. Moses and Elias, of whom one, as we read, died, the other was carried away to heaven, signify the coming glory ofall the Saints, that is, of all who in the judgment time are either to be found alive in the flesh, or to be raised up from that death of which they tasted, and who are all equally to reign with Him. And we must observe, that, as when the Lord was baptized in Jordan, so on the mountain, covered with brightness, the whole mystery of the Holy Trinity is declared, because we shall see in the resurrection that glory of the Trinity which we believers confess in baptism, and shall praise it all together. Nor is it without reason that the Holy Ghost appeared here in a bright cloud, there in the form of a dove; because he who now with a simple heart keeps the faith which he hath embraced, shall then contemplate what he had believed with the brightness of open vision. But when the voice had been heard over the Son, He was found Himself alone, because when He shall have manifested Himself to His elect, God shall be all in all, yeaChrist with His own, as the Head with the body, shall shine through all things. (St. Bede the Venerable)
By ascending the heavens in glory, the Virgin has undoubtedly heaped up the joys of the citizens above with rich increase. For this is she whose cry of greeting makes even those still locked in their mothers' wombs leap for joy. And if the soul of a small one still unborn was melted so at the sound of Mary's voice—what, think you, was the exultation of the heavenly host when it was their reward to hear her voice, and see her face, and enjoy her blessed presence?
But, dear people, what occasion for celebration can we find in her Assumption, what cause for gladness, what matter for rejoicing? The whole universe is lit up with the presence of Mary, so much so that the heavenly fatherland itself is shining more brightly now, resplendent with the radiance of her virgin lamp. For her, thanksgiving and a cry of praise ring out on high—but we, it seems, should lament rather than cheer. For just as heaven exults in her presence, does it not follow, that this our lower world should mourn her absence?
Nevertheless, let us cease from complaint, since here we have no continuing city but seek the one where Mary arrived in bliss today. And if we are enrolled as citizens there, it is entirely right that, even in exile, even by the waters of Babylon, we recall that city, share its joys, partake its happiness—above all the happiness which today gladdens the city of God with so overflowing an onrush that we too feel its dew fall over the earth. Our queen has gone ahead of us—she has gone ahead, and been taken up in such great glory that her little servants may follow their Mistress boldly, crying, Draw us after you, let us run after the fragrance of your perfumes (Song of Solomon 1:1). Our exodus has sent an advocate ahead, she who as mother of the Judge, and mother of mercy, will humbly and efficiently work out the cause of our salvation. (Dom Prosper Gueranger)
Musical Selection
Prayers
Moses, who saw God,
and Elijah who rode the fiery chariot across the heavens unconsumed,
beheld You in the cloud at Your Transfiguration, O Christ.
They testified that You are the Maker and Fulfillment
of the law and the prophets.
With them, O Master, count us also worthy of Your light,
that we may sing Your praises unto all ages.
He Who once spoke through symbols to Moses on Mount Sinai
saying: I am He Who is!
Was transfigured, today, upon Mount Tabor before the disciples.
In His own person He showed them the nature of mankind
arrayed in the original beauty of the image.
Calling Moses and Elijah to be witnesses of this surpassing Grace,
He made them sharers in His joy,
foretelling His death on the Cross and His saving resurrection! (Orthodox Vespers of the Transfiguration)
It was right that the eye-witnesses and ministers of the Word
should see the Dormition of His mother according to the flesh:
the final mystery concerning her!
So that they might be witnesses not only to the Ascension of the Savior,
but also to the translation of her who gave Him birth!
Assembled from all parts by divine power, they came to Zion,
and sped on her way to heaven the Virgin who is higher than the cherubim.
We also venerate her, for she prays for our souls. (Orthodox Vespers of the Dormition)