Saturday of the Sixth Week of Ordinary Time – Mk 9:2-13

Today’s Gospel recounts for us the Transfiguration; since it is Saturday, we’re also recalling Our Blessed Mother. In fact, there is a close connection between the two events, since the Transfiguration in one of the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. Indeed, we can think of how the Transfiguration speaks to us of our relation to Mary, and this in three ways.[1]

First, in the Transfiguration we see Christ’s body completely transformed, glorified. However, let us recall that His Body came from the Blessed Virgin Mary; She gave Him that body. In recalling Christ glorified, we also honor His Mother. Second, we see that Jesus went up to the mountain with His three closest Apostles. However, we must also remember that there has never been anyone, before or since, who has loved Jesus more than His Mother. She is truly the closest one to Him. Thirdly, we recall that Jesus heads up the mount for His Transfiguration, He is on His way to His passion, and eventually to His glorification in heaven. Likewise, our lives are a constant pilgrimage towards heaven, through moments of joy and sorrow. Just as Christ’s Mother was His companion on this journey, so, too, does she accompany us.

Hence, in the Transfiguration we see, not only our future as transfigured, glorified bodies, but also how our Lady helps us throughout this journey of life. She is our close friend who helps us through the difficulties we find on the way.

Let us ask for the grace, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Word Incarnate, for the grace to live transformed lives, following the example of and trusting in the help of Mary.

[1] These have been adapted from Ed Broom’s book, Total Consecration Through the Mysteries of the Rosary.