SR
Chapter 41MedVC.1.41

De transfiguratione Domini in monte

The Transfiguration on the Mountain

Jesus is transfigured in glory before three disciples on Mount Tabor, and Moses and Elijah appear speaking with him about his coming passion.

The Lord Jesus took three of the disciples and went up Mount Tabor, and was transfigured before them, showing himself in glory to them. Moses and Elijah also came, speaking with him about his coming passion.

The Necessity of Christ's Passion

Moses and Elijah protest Christ's coming death, but Jesus insists, as the good shepherd, that he must lay down his life for his sheep.

They were saying, 'Lord, it is not right that you should die, since a single drop of your blood would redeem the world.' The Lord Jesus was saying, 'A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.' 41–43. He lays it down for his sheep; so it is necessary for me to do so.

The Father's Voice and the Disciples' Prostration

The Holy Spirit appears as a bright cloud, the Father's voice declares Jesus his beloved Son, and the disciples fall to the ground in awe, rising to see only Jesus.

The Holy Spirit appeared there in the form of a bright cloud, and the voice of the Father came from within the cloud, saying, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him.' The disciples fell to the ground; and when they got up, they saw no one except the Lord Jesus alone.

Exhortation to Behold and Respond

The devout soul is urged to contemplate these magnificent mysteries and to present itself wholly to Christ.

Look at what has gone before, and present yourself to him, because these things are magnificent.

Read the original Latin

Assumens Dominus Jesus tres ex discipuhs *, ascendit in montem Thabor, et transfiguratus est ante eos, ostendens se eis gloriosum. Venerunt insuper Moyses et EUas, loquentes cum eo de passione sua futura. Dicebant autem; Domine, non expedit, ut moriaris, quia una gulta sanguinis tui redimeret mundum. Dominus autem Jesus dicebat ': Bonus pastor animam suam CAP. XLTl-XLIII. ponit pro ovibm; sio et facere me oportet. Atluit ibi Spiritus sanctus in specie nubis lucidte, et vox Patris facta cst in nube, dicens ': Eic est filius meus dilectus, in quo mihi bene complacui, ipsum audite. Discipuli vero ceciderunt in terram; ct cum excitati sunt, non viderunt nisi Dominum Jesum.

Conspiceigiturbenepraedicta, et te praesentem exhibeas, quia magnifica sunt

Scripture echoes

  1. Matt.17.1-Matt.17.2And after six days Jesus takes Peter and James and John his brother and leads them up into a high mountain by themselves. Matt.17.2 — And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as the light.
  2. Mark.9.2-Mark.9.3And after six days Jesus takes Peter and James and John, and leads them up onto a high mountain, privately, alone, and he was transfigured before them. Mark.9.3 — And his garments became glistening, intensely white—such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
  3. Luke.9.28-Luke.9.30Now about eight days after these sayings, taking Peter and John and James, he went up on the mountain to pray. Luke.9.29 — And it came to pass, while he was praying, the appearance of his face became different, and his clothing was white, flashing like lightning. Luke.9.30 — And behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah.
  4. Luke.9.30-Luke.9.31And behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah. Luke.9.31 — who appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.
  5. Matt.17.3And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him.
  6. John.12.24Truly, truly, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
  7. John.10.11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
  8. John.10.15-John.10.16Just as the Father knows me, I also know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. John.10.16 — And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice, so there will be one flock, one shepherd.
  9. Matt.17.5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.'
  10. Mark.9.7And a cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.
  11. Luke.9.34-Luke.9.35While he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. Luke.9.35 — And a voice came from the cloud, saying, 'This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.'
  12. 2Pet.1.17-2Pet.1.18For he received from God the Father honor and glory when a voice was brought to him by the Majestic Glory: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 2Pet.1.18 — And this voice—we heard it come from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
  13. Matt.17.6-Matt.17.7And when the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. Matt.17.7 — And Jesus came and touched them and said, "Rise, and do not be afraid."
  14. Mark.9.6-Mark.9.8For he did not know what to answer, for they had become terrified. Mark.9.7 — And a cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him. Mark.9.8 — And suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus alone.

Meditationes Vitae Christi (Pseudo-Bonaventure), Castilian court context companion

A scene a day, for life

Chosen Portion continues this rhythm: one short reading and prayer every morning, free on iOS

The Meditationes portioned Christ's life into daily scenes for lay meditation — the exact daily-portion model Chosen Portion delivers to your phone.

  • Keep the one-scene-a-day habit going after day 30, automatically
  • 10 minutes each morning: reading, meditation prompt, closing prayer
  • Free iOS install; your day-31 portion is ready when the plan ends
Chosen Portion — Daily Prayer (free iOS app)