Dear friends in Christ,
The Mysteries of Light
The transfiguration experience is enlightening. Latin “trans” meaning “through” or “change” can be used as a prefix before another word to create a new one. One of my favorite words created in this way is translucent (the prefix “trans”-through plus “lucere”-light) which indicates light passing through an object thereby making it clear; a word that lends meaning to the mystery of light that took place on Mount Tabor in the presence of Peter, James, and John. The divine light shines through the body of Jesus, the dazzled apostles are enlightened about the future glorious light of the resurrection that would transform the suffering that Jesus would experience; sufferings that all his followers would also experience. We need this transforming light to see through and beyond unavoidable humans sufferings as people of faith, the transfiguration offers this enlightenment.
One of the spiritual enlightenment that I have received recently is derived from my lenten commitment to daily contemplation of all the four mysteries of the rosary- the joyful, the luminous, the sorrowful and the glorious mysteries. This contemplative practice has thrown light on my path as each day unfolds with its struggles and sufferings in the light of faith.
The fourth of the mysteries of light is the transfiguration, described by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Viirginis Mariae as “The mystery of light par excellence,” reveals to us that “The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to “listen to him” (cf. Lk 9:35 and parallels) and to prepare to experience with him the agony of the Passion, so as to come with him to the joy of the Resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit.”
May the transfigured Christ transform our sufferings during this lent and always as I invite you to contemplate with me the mysteries of light.
In Christ our Light,
~ Fr. Bernard Oniwe, OP
The Mysteries of Light
The transfiguration experience is enlightening. Latin “trans” meaning “through” or “change” can be used as a prefix before another word to create a new one. One of my favorite words created in this way is translucent (the prefix “trans”-through plus “lucere”-light) which indicates light passing through an object thereby making it clear; a word that lends meaning to the mystery of light that took place on Mount Tabor in the presence of Peter, James, and John. The divine light shines through the body of Jesus, the dazzled apostles are enlightened about the future glorious light of the resurrection that would transform the suffering that Jesus would experience; sufferings that all his followers would also experience. We need this transforming light to see through and beyond unavoidable humans sufferings as people of faith, the transfiguration offers this enlightenment.
One of the spiritual enlightenment that I have received recently is derived from my lenten commitment to daily contemplation of all the four mysteries of the rosary- the joyful, the luminous, the sorrowful and the glorious mysteries. This contemplative practice has thrown light on my path as each day unfolds with its struggles and sufferings in the light of faith.
The fourth of the mysteries of light is the transfiguration, described by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Viirginis Mariae as “The mystery of light par excellence,” reveals to us that “The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to “listen to him” (cf. Lk 9:35 and parallels) and to prepare to experience with him the agony of the Passion, so as to come with him to the joy of the Resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit.”
May the transfigured Christ transform our sufferings during this lent and always as I invite you to contemplate with me the mysteries of light.
In Christ our Light,
~ Fr. Bernard Oniwe, OP
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