The Tabor Vision as Encouragement for Christian Initiation

What comfort is there in the Transfiguration for people among us who are preparing for the Easter sacraments in the initiation process? What do the catechumens have to gain in becoming members of the Church of Jesus Christ through baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist? Do you see them as beneficiaries of the promise set before the world in this revelation of who Jesus is? What about those who are already baptized but who will be received into full communion at the Easter Vigil? What’s in it for them?

Answer: The Transfiguration offers immense comfort to those in the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) because it provides a glimpse of the goal of the Christian life just before they enter the intensive period of purification and enlightenment during Lent. The Christian path involves the "cross"—dying to sin and old ways of life—which can be daunting for catechumens. The Transfiguration assures them that the cross is not the end, but the pathway to glory. As the Catechism states, the Transfiguration "gives a foretaste of Christ's glorious coming, when he 'will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body'" (CCC 556). It validates that the difficult journey of conversion they have undertaken is worth it because they are following not just a wise teacher, but the beloved Son of God.

For the Catechumens (the unbaptized): By becoming members of the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation, they gain entry into the very life of the Trinity revealed on the mountain.

• Baptism: They are no longer onlookers but become adopted sons and daughters of God. The Father's voice on Tabor saying, "This is my beloved Son," becomes true of them by extension as they are incorporated into Christ (CCC 1213, 1265).
• Confirmation: They receive the seal of the Holy Spirit—the same Spirit manifested as the bright cloud on the mountain—giving them the strength to witness to Christ's glory in the "valley" of the world (CCC 1285).
• Eucharist: They gain participation in the heavenly banquet. The Transfiguration is a foretaste of Heaven; the Eucharist is the sacramental realization of that foretaste here on earth, where they consume the glorified Body and Blood of the Lord (CCC 1323, 1402).

They are absolutely beneficiaries of this promise. The revelation on Tabor was not just for Peter, James, and John; it was a revelation of what redeemed humanity is meant to look like. The catechumens are stepping into that destiny.

For Candidates for Full Communion (already baptized): "What’s in it for them" is the completion of their identity in Christ and the fullness of community. While they are already adopted children of God through Baptism, they have not yet fully participated at the table of the Lord or received the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation within the Catholic Church. The Transfiguration shows Jesus in communion with Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets). Similarly, candidates are entering into full communion with the living tradition of the Church. The Easter Vigil is for them a restoration of strength and a completion of their initiation, allowing the glory they received at baptism to shine with its full intended brightness through the nourishment of the Eucharist and the gifts of the Spirit.

From the Mountain to the Valley: Hope and Courage for the Present Church

What comfort is there for the Church, for your parish, for your family, or for your faith-sharing group in the revelation of the Transfiguration? Do we see ourselves as recipients of the promise that the glory of God would shine through us all? In what ways is that glory already present in the Church, in your life? Will we be able to live with more courage in the midst of our difficulties now that we have seen the promise?

Answer: Theologically, the Transfiguration is pivotal because it is meant to prepare the Apostles (and by extension, the Church) to endure the scandal of the Cross. The Catechism teaches that Jesus transfigured himself "to strengthen the apostles' faith in anticipation of his Passion" (CCC 568).

The comfort for the Church, a parish, or a family today—often beset by scandals, infighting, mundane struggles, or personal suffering—is the assurance that the present darkness, mediocrity, or suffering is not the final reality. We live mostly in the "valley," dealing with brokenness, but we possess the memory of the "mountain." The comfort is hope: the theological virtue that assures us that God’s victory is already won in Christ and will eventually be fully manifest in us.

We must see ourselves as recipients of this promise. St. Paul writes that we "are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another" (2 Cor 3:18). The Church does not exist for itself; it exists to be the "sacrament of salvation" for the world, a vessel through which Christ's light shines.

This glory is already present, though often veiled, just as Christ's divinity was veiled before Tabor. It is present:

• In the Sacraments: Especially the Eucharist, where the infinite glory of God is hidden under the appearance of bread and wine.
• In Acts of Charity: When a parish rallies to feed the hungry, or a family cares for a sick relative with sacrificial love, the glory of God’s love is shining through human action.
• In Faithful Suffering: When believers endure trials without losing faith, offering their suffering in union with Christ, a profound, quiet glory is present.

Seeing the promise should absolutely lead to living with more courage. If we know the end of the story—resurrection and glory—we can endure the difficult chapters with fortitude. The Father’s command on the mountain was, "Listen to him!" Listening to Jesus, especially his hard teachings on taking up the cross, requires courage. The vision of glory gives us the strength to obey that command, knowing that the path of the Cross is the only path to the Transfiguration.

Blessed to Be a Blessing: The Diffusive Nature of Divine Grace in Action

List some of the ways in which the Church has been blessed by God so that it may be a source of blessing to the world. Have you seen the blessings that your parish has brought to the community in which it is located? Have you been part of that blessing? How has your family been a source of blessing for you? Do you consider yourself blessed by God so that you can be a blessing to others?

Answer: The Catholic theological principle here is that grace is meant to be diffusive; it is given not just for the recipient, but for the sake of others (CCC 2003). The Church is "blessed to be a blessing," mirroring the call of Abraham.

Ways the Church is Blessed to act as a Blessing:

• The Deposit of Faith and Scripture: We possess the fullness of God's revelation, which is a light to guide the world in truth.
• The Sacraments: We have the means of divine grace to heal, nourish, and forgive, which we offer to a broken world.
• The Holy Spirit: The Church is guided by the Spirit, empowering it for mission and evangelization.
• The Social Doctrine of the Church: We have a rich tradition of wisdom regarding human dignity, the common good, and justice that serves as a blessing to wider society.

Faith Application Reflection:

Parish Blessings: One can see a parish acting as a blessing when its doors are open not just for Sunday Mass, but for service. Examples include St. Vincent de Paul societies helping with rent and utilities for non-parishioners, food pantries combating local hunger, Catholic schools providing formation for neighborhood children, or bereavement ministries supporting those grieving in the wider community. To be part of that blessing is to move from being a "consumer" of religious goods to a "co-worker" in the vineyard, participating in these ministries through time, talent, or treasure.

Family (Domestic Church) Blessings: The family is the primary place where we experience God’s blessing through human love. It is a source of blessing when parents pass the faith to children, when siblings learn forgiveness, and when the family unit serves as a school of self-sacrifice. A family blesses its members by providing a safe harbor where one is loved for who they are, not what they do, mirroring God's unconditional love.

Personal Reflection: Every baptized Christian must consider themselves "blessed to be a blessing." If I have received forgiveness in Confession, I am obligated to extend forgiveness to others. If I have been nourished by the Eucharist, I must become bread for a hungry world. As the Catechism states, "The whole Church is missionary by nature" (CCC 851). We are not containers of God's grace to be sealed shut, but channels through which His grace is meant to flow into the world.