IN TRANSFIGURATIONE DOMINI

  

The Transfiguration: Homily by S. John Chrysostom   Hom. 56 on Matt. 

 

THE Lord had said much about dangers, much about his Passion, about the death and slaying of his disciples, and had laid many hard and grievous things upon them; and all these things concerned this present life and were nigh at hand; but the good things were to be expected and awaited: as, for example, that they should save their life if they had lost it; that he would come in the glory of his Father, and render the rewards. Now, in order to reassure them by sight, and to show them what that glory would be when he would come (at least, as much as they could comprehend in this present life) he showed it and unveiled it to them, to prevent any of them, especially Peter, from grieving over their own deaths, or that of the Lord.

 

AND see what he did when he discoursed on heaven and hell. For when he said, whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it, and when he said, He will reward every man according to his works, he indicated heaven and hell.

 

ALTHOUGH he discoursed on both, he allowed heaven to be seen by the eyes, but not hell; for although it would have been needful for men• who were unlearned and dull; these men were proved and instructed, and it was enough for them to be strengthened by better things. And this is much more becoming to him. But he did not leave out the other altogether, for sometimes he laid all the atrocity of hell as it were before their eyes, as in the parable of Lazarus, and in the account of the man who demanded back the hundred pence.

 

CONSIDER Matthew's wisdom in not concealing the names of those who had the first places. And John very often does the same, as when he truly and diligently describes Peter's excellency. For neither envy nor vainglory had any place in this company of the Apostles. Why did he take only these? Because they excelled the others. Why did he do it, not straightway, but after six days? Lest it should upset others among his disciples and followers; therefore, he made no mention beforehand of those whom he was going to take with him.

 

Deus, qui fídei sacraménta in Unigéniti tui gloriósa Transfiguratióne patrum testimónio roborásti, et adoptiónem filiórum perféctam, voce delápsa in nube lúcida, mirabíliter præsignásti: concéde propítius; ut ipsíus Regis glóriæ nos coherédes effícias, et ejúsdem glóriæ tríbuas esse consórtes.

O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of Thine only-begotten Son didst confirm the mysteries of the faith by the witness of the fathers, and in the voice which came down from the shining cloud, didst wondrously foreshow the perfect adoption of sons: vouchsafe in Thy loving kindness, to make us coheirs with this King of glory, and to grant that we may be made partakers of that same glory

Deus, qui fídei sacraménta in Unigéniti tui gloriósa Transfiguratióne patrum testimónio roborásti et adoptiónem filiórum perféctam mirabíliter præsignásti, concéde nobis fámulis tuis, ut, ipsíus dilécti Fílii tui vocem audiéntes, eiúsdem coherédes éffici mereámur.

 

Ad Officium lectionis: saec. XIII

Cæléstis formam glóriæ,

quam spes quærit Ecclésiæ,

in monte Christus índicat,

qui supra solem émicat.

 

Res memoránda sæculis:

tribus coram discípulis,

cum Elía, cum Móyse

grata promit elóquia.

 

Assístunt testes grátiæ,

legis vatúmque véterum;

de nube testimónium

sonat Patris ad Fílium.

 

Glorificáta fácie

Christus declárat hódie

quis honor sit credéntium

Deo pie fruéntium.

 

Visiónis mystérium

corda levat fidélium,

unde sollémni gáudio

clamat nostra devótio:

 

Pater, cum Unigénito

et Spíritu Paráclito

unus, nobis hanc glóriam

largíre per præséntiam. Amen.

Christ, who shines brighter than the sun, on the mountain reveals the beauty of heavenly glory, which the hope of the Church seeks. An event to be recalled through the ages: in the presence of three of his disciples Jesus, with Elijah and Moses, speaks pleasing words. Witnesses of grace stand near the prophets of the old law, as from a cloud the testimony of the Father concerning the Son is told. Christ, his face shining with glory, reveals the honor of the those who believe and enjoy the holy God. The mystery of this vision lifts up the hearts of the faithful, wherefore our devotion cries out with solemn joy. O Father, with the Only-begotten and the Spirit Comforter, grant us this glory now. Amen.

 

 

Ad Laudes matutinas: saec. XII-XIII

Dulcis Iesu memória,

dans vera cordi gáudia,

sed super mel et ómnia

eius dulcis præséntia.

 

Nil cánitur suávius,

audítur nil iucúndius,

nil cogitátur dúlcius

quam Iesus Dei Fílius.

 

Iesu, dulcédo córdium,

fons veri, lumen méntium,

excédis omne gáudium

et omne desidérium.

 

Quando cor nostrum vísitas,

tunc lucet ei véritas,

mundi viléscit vánitas

et intus fervet cáritas.

 

Da nobis largus véniam,

amóris tui cópiam;

da nobis per præséntiam

tuam vidére glóriam.

 

Laudes tibi nos pángimus,

diléctus es qui Fílius,

quem Patris atque Spíritus

splendor revélat ínclitus. Amen.

Sweet memory of Jesus, giving true joys to the heart but sweeter even than honey and all things is his presence. Nothing better is sung, nothing happier is heard, nothing sweeter thought than Jesus the Son of God.  Jesus the sweetness of hearts, source of truth, light of minds, you surpass all joy and every desire. When you visit our hearts, then truth shines, the vanity of the world loses its appeal, and charity burns within us.  Grant to us the increase of pardon, the abundance of love; grant us to see your glorious presence. We sing our praises to you the beloved Son, Whom the shining splendor of the Father and the Spirit reveals. Amen.

 

 

Ad Vesperas: saec. IX

O nata lux de lúmine,

Iesu, redémptor sæculi,

dignáre clemens súpplicum

laudes precésque súmere.

 

Præ sole vultu flámmeus,

ut nix amíctu cándidus,

in monte dignis téstibus

apparuísti cónditor.

 

Vates alúmnis ábditos

novis vetústos cónferens,

utrísque te divínitus

Deum dedísti crédere.

 

Te vox patérna cælitus

suum vocávit Fílium,

quem nos fidéli péctore

regem fatémur cælitum.

 

Qui carne quondam cóntegi

dignátus es pro pérditis,

nos membra confer éffici

tui beáti córporis.

 

Laudes tibi nos pángimus,

diléctus es qui Fílius,

quem Patris atque Spíritus

splendor revélat ínclitus. Amen.

O Light begotten of light, Jesus, the Redeemer of the world, mercifully receive our humble praises and prayers. Flaming more than the face of the sun, whiter than the fall of snow, the Creator, you appeared with worthy witnesses on the mountain. Bringing the ancient prophets, hidden from the new disciples, you divinely caused them to believe that you were God. The heavenly voice of the Father called you his Son, whom we confess with faithful hearts to be the King of heaven. You who deigned to be clothed with our flesh for the sake of the lost, did make us members of your blessed body. We sing praises to you, who are the beloved Son, whom the shining splendor of the Father and the Spirit reveals. Amen