Transfigured for Hope: The Feast that Illuminates Our Journey

August 6, 2025: The Feast of the Transfiguration, celebrated on August 6th, marks a pivotal moment in Christ’s earthly life when His divine glory was revealed to Peter, James, and John on Mount Tabor (cf. Matthew 17:1–9). In a world grappling with turmoil and despair, the Transfiguration stands as a beacon for the “Pilgrims of Hope”—all believers journeying toward God amid uncertainty and fear. This reflection explores the feast's enduring significance, drawing on Scripture, Church teaching, and the words of Popes to rekindle hope in the present age.

1. A Glimpse of Glory Amidst Struggle

The Transfiguration occurs as Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem and the Cross. It grants the disciples—and us—a foretaste of resurrection glory, reminding all pilgrims that suffering will be transformed by God’s light (cf. CCC 556). In today’s world, beset by anxieties and the ‘tantrums’ of the spirit, this vision calls us to trust that despair is not the final word.

2. Hope Rooted in Encounter with Christ

Pope Francis emphasises that Christian hope is not merely an idea but a person—Jesus Christ, transfigured and risen. The Mount Tabor experience reminds us that hope springs from real, living communion with Him, even when darkness falls (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 55).

3. Listening to the Beloved Son

God’s voice on the mountain—“This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to Him!”—invites us to centre our lives on Jesus’ words (Mt 17:5). In a cacophonous world, the Transfiguration calls us to silence lesser voices and embrace Christ’s message of trust, forgiveness, and love.

4. Connecting Heaven and Earth

With Moses and Elijah appearing alongside Jesus, the Transfiguration connects the Law and the Prophets, past and future. It assures us that every human story, marked by struggle and longing, is embraced and renewed in Christ. The Catechism (CCC 555) calls this event “a foretaste of the Kingdom,” urging us to live with heaven’s horizon in view.

5. Pilgrimage as Transformation

Pilgrims of hope are not called to escape the world’s wounds, but to allow them to be transfigured by grace. The Church, in Lumen Gentium (48), reminds us that “already the final age of the world is with us,” making each believer a radiant sign of hope in today’s fractured reality.

6. Mission to Radiate Hope

The disciples are sent down from the mountain with new eyes and hearts, ready to face trials with renewed courage. Pope St. John Paul II (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 41) urges us to “contemplate the face of Christ” so that we may become His light-bearers—offering hope and healing to a despairing world.

As we contemplate the Transfigured Lord, we receive the same promise given to the apostles: amid all darkness and despair, Christ’s light breaks through. This feast renews our resolve to journey as pilgrims of hope—transfigured by His presence, we are equipped to be signs of hope for others.

Questions for Reflection:

1. When have I glimpsed God’s “glory” in the midst of personal struggle or uncertainty?

2. How can I cultivate deeper listening to Christ’s voice above the noise of daily life?

3. In what ways am I called to radiate Christ’s hope to those who are discouraged or despairing?

By Fr. Valerian Lobo

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