“It is good for us to be here.” Mt 17:4

This one’s a big one guys. There is so much meaning and imagery packed into these verses in scripture. I want to do it justice, but as I’m not a scholar I fear I won’t be able. I spent time mulling over this celebration, worrying about what I’d say and write. Worrying I would barely scratch the surface of what this day is about. And then the Lord provided!

I’ve shared something from the Liturgy of the Hours in each celebration plan so far, and today is no different. It’s such an amazing resource, even if praying the psalms seems dry or praying the Liturgy seems daunting. There is such an abundance of goodness packed in there. Like the second reading from the Office of Readings, which I present to you today as a sort of meditation to prepare yourself for the celebration of this feast. This is an excerpt from the whole reading which can be found here and is from a sermon by Anastasius of Sinai, bishop:

Let us run with confidence and joy to enter into the cloud like Moses and Elijah, or like James and John. Let us be caught up like Peter to behold the divine vision and to be transfigured by that glorious transfiguration. Let us retire from the world, stand aloof from the earth, rise above the body, detach ourselves from creatures and turn to the creator, to whom Peter in ecstasy exclaimed:Lord, it is good for us to be here.

It is indeed good to be here, as you have said, Peter. It is good to be with Jesus and to remain here for ever. What greater happiness or higher honour could we have than to be with God, to be made like him and to live in his light?

Therefore, since each of us possesses God in his heart and is being transformed into his divine image, we also should cry out with joy: It is good for us to be here – here where all things shine with divine radiance, where there is joy and gladness and exultation; where there is nothing in our hearts but peace, serenity and stillness; where God is seen. For here, in our hearts, Christ takes up his abode together with the Father, saying as he enters: Today salvation has come to this house. With Christ, our hearts receive all the wealth of his eternal blessings, and there where they are stored up for us in him, we see reflected as in a mirror both the first fruits and the whole of the world to come. 

So, this day is about the revelation of Christ’s divinity. It is proof of his sonship to the Father. It is all of the history of the chosen people of God displayed in one moment at the top of a mountain. It is about Christ’s light, stepping into that light, knowing it is good, and having no fear.

The Plan

Story and Scripture

Today’s story is taken from scripture. Find your favorite children’s Bible or Bible Story Book and read the story of the Transfiguration aloud. Or read from one of the accounts from scripture: Mark 9:1-8, Matthew 17:1-6, or Luke 9:28-36.

Prayer

O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration
of your Only Begotten Son
confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness of the Fathers
and wonderfully prefigured our full adoption to sonship,
grant, we pray, to your servants,
that, listening to the voice of your beloved Son,
we may merit to become co-heirs with him.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

–or–

Pray just this mystery (a decade) or all the Luminous Mysteries together!

Coloring Page

This page is from sermons4kids.com. Click the link to print the full sized image.

Craft

For today’s craft I’m linking up to Catholic Inspired’s Transfiguration Sun Catcher craft. This is a great illustration of how Jesus was transformed, becoming white and emanating light.

You’ll need to go to their website to print off the FREE printable. And then you’ll need wax paper, scissors, crayons and tape.

Once you’ve printed the printable on cardstock, cut out Jesus. Color the background around where you’ve cut. Tape wax paper over the hole from the back of the paper. And voila!

Treat

In researching for the day I learned that in many parts of the Eastern Mediterranean and Eastern Orthodox traditions the feast of the Transfiguration is traditionally a day for farmers to bring in their first fruits of their harvest to be blessed. This time of year it’s either grapes (part of the Greek custom) or apples (Ukraine). Here’s an excerpt I found in an article on Catholic World Report which explains some of the imagery as well:

Throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, it is customary to bring the first grapes of the summer harvest to be blessed on the feast of Holy Transfiguration. The grape is a symbol of transfiguration because it is crushed and fermented into wine, then transformed into the blood of Christ at the Eucharist. Likewise, sinful man is crushed and made new by water and the Holy Spirit in baptism before receiving Holy Communion which transforms the Christian along the path of theosis.

So for today’s treat enjoy some fresh, cold grapes, or maybe some apples slices dipped in this Yogurt Fruit Dip!

If you’re feeling ambitious, make or purchase an apple pie. And serve it up with a scoop of vanilla. (Personally, I’m not sure how ambitious I’ll be feeling that week!)

Jesus’ clothes did turn ‘white as snow’, after all. You can make that connection with a fruit dip or ice cream. Tell your children about the customs from our brothers and sisters in the Easter Orthodox tradition. Talk to them about the reasons you’re doing what you’re doing. They’ll more easily remember and make the connections later if you have an easy, free discussion while you prepare and enjoy your treat!

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And that’s a wrap! I wanted to get this posted ASAP as the day is fast approaching. I’ll hopefully get a printable plan up soon, too! Pester me about it if you’d like one 🙂

And let me know how it goes! Share your photos and experiences in the comments here, over on Instagram, or on the Facebook page (which seriously needs some time and attention). I’d love to know how these go for you! I’ll be sharing with the hashtag #hdahtransfiguration