One of my favorite biblical stories is that of Abraham. From its beginning, when God asks him to leave his father’s house, until he dies as an old man, it is not only a story of wonder and amazement, but more importantly one of relationship and grace. In some ways, we can point to Abraham and correlate him with Mary; he being the Marian prototype of the Old Testament. We don’t believe that Abraham was born immaculate, or that he was sin-free. No one holds a place equal to our Blessed Mother, but if anyone comes in what we would consider a close second, it would surely be our father Abraham.
Both Mary and Abraham always said “yes” to God regardless of what he asked. For Abraham, the most difficult thing God asked was for him to sacrifice his own son. You can imagine what that must have felt like for Abraham, if you are a father, and it was you who had to take your son on that long walk up that mountain to offer him to the Lord. You can imagine what it would be like, if you are a mother, and you had to see your son carry a cross on the road to Calvary. Both Abraham and Mary took that long walk even though God asked for the impossible.
The Lord, however, does not leave us without the strength to carry out the seemingly impossible. Rather, he prepares us slowly, quietly, and sometimes very obviously. Abraham would not have been prepared to offer Isaac if that had been the first thing God asked of him. When you read the story of Abraham, you can see how God was journeying with him and giving him strength. God spoke directly and indirectly to Abraham, visited him in person at least twice: once as the King of Salem, and another time as (one could even argue) the Trinity, when appearing to him and actually dining with him. You can see that a relationship was being developed, one with a sense of trust and, more importantly, love.
The apostles themselves would be asked to accept things that were very difficult: for example, that Jesus would have to suffer, and that they themselves would suffer (as a great majority of them would be martyrs). And yet, Jesus strengthens them before he asks such sacrifices from them. He appears to them in glory on Mt. Tabor so that they would see the true glory of God, so that they would remember it and have it carry them through difficult times.
Just like the apostles, our father Abraham, and even our Blessed Mother, we all face major difficulties in life. Do not think that these holy souls did not face tribulation, suffering, and undergo “great tests”; they did. They were no different than us. All of us share life’s sufferings. Jesus knows this as well, for no one knows it better. Therefore, Jesus gives us moments of transfiguration so that we will endure whatever life may throw at us. He also does not let us be tested beyond our means, as St. Paul reminds us, “God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13, NABRE)
The question, however, remains. How and when does Jesus provide moments of transfiguration? For Abraham, it was direct and indirect conversation with the Lord. For Mary, it was through an angel, prophecies by Simeon and Anna, and probably other means not mentioned in Scripture. Now, you may think it unfair since we do not receive the same powerful and direct revelations like Abraham, Mary, or the Apostles. That is true. It is very rare that God will show himself as he did to Abraham or be transfigured before our eyes, but since their tests were much greater than ours, they needed more intervention by God, if you will. For remember, “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” (Luke 10:48, NABRE). No one was entrusted with more than Mary, as she is the Theotokos, the God-bearer, or Mother of God. Our father Abraham was entrusted with becoming the father of faith, hence, the father of many nations. We can see how they would need great help.
Though we may not be entrusted with that kind of responsibility, God still gives us many talents - gifts (c.f. Mt. 25:14-28, Rom. 12:6-8, Jam. 1:17) that we are to use for the sake of building up God’s Kingdom on earth.
Now, to answer the question of ‘how and when does God come to us “transfigured” to provide us with strength for our journey’? There are the obvious ways, such as through the sacraments, through the mass, and through personal and public prayer. There are the less obvious ways, such as a dream, an intuition, the subtle conversation with others, (i.e. the whisper in the wind). God never leaves us alone but walks with us every step of the way, no matter what. The problem is not that God abandons us; rather, the problem is that we sometimes forget about him, or we may feel he is not helping us when we need it.
If you need help, right here and right now, pray and ask for it. Remember that Jesus not only transfigured for the apostles on Mt. Tabor, but he will also provide us with the same as we celebrate the Eucharist. Jesus will be with us in his glory. However, if you are looking only with your eyes, you will only see a host. If you are looking with your soul, as did Abraham, Mary, and the Apostles, then you will see the King of Salem, the baby in the manger, and the Lord of Glory transfigured before the eyes of his apostles on Mt. Tabor.
God bless you,
Fr. John
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