THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS THE CHRIST..........

As the Lord Jesus prepared His Disciples for his approaching Passion and Death, he chose to give three of them, Peter, James, and John, a preview of His future and risen Glory. Taking then up onto Mount Tabor, Christ was transfigured before them and seen to be in the presence of Moses and Elijah. The Transfiguration of Christ was evidence of His Divine power and the Glorification that the Crucified and Risen Jesus would experience in the fulfillment of the Paschal Mystery. The presence of the Prophets, Christ's fulfillment of all the prophets foretold about the coming Messiah. This liturgical feast originated in 1457 A.D., by declaration of Pope Callistus III, in response to the victory of Christians over the Turks in Belgrade. Sixty-five years ago, August 6, 1945, it took on a counter glory, awesomely, transfixing affect, as it was 65 years ago today the first ever atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, Japan expediting the end of World War II. And it was on August 6, 1978, that His Holiness Pope Paul VI, died concluding a 15 year reign in the See of St. Peter. Paul VI's other significant link to the August 6, 1945 Transfiguration Day being, his history making visit to the United Nations, as the first Pope to set foot in the United States,* declaring in a speech before the UN General Assembly, on the Feast of St. Francis Assisi, October 4, 1965, the powerfully resolute words, "No More War !" Catholic Teaching is opposed to the use of nuclear weapons, a teaching clearly stated by the Bishops of the United States in their 1983 Pastoral Letter on, "War And Peace". Therefore as we observe this Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, may we renew our commitment to honoring and sharing in the glorification of Jesus the Christ, as Son of God, Son of Man, Savior of the World, and Redeemer of Humankind, in whose Transfiguration and Resurrection we hope to be included in God's Kingdom of Eternal Life..........Glory To God And Peace On Earth, Fr. Troy

*Pius XII, who was Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli, before his election as Pope, had visited the U.S., but not while he was Pope.