Keeping in mind Tabor and Calvary

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

THE glory of Christ’s Transfiguration on Mount Tabor should never be separated from His sacrifice on Mount Calvary. The dazzling light of Tabor prepares us for the darkness of the Cross, reminding us that suffering is never the final chapter. The same path awaits us. We, too, are called to pass through trials before entering into glory.

The Feast of the Transfiguration reminds us of our true destiny. We are not made only for this passing world but for eternal communion with God. One day, by His grace, we shall share in His divine life, our humanity transformed and filled with His radiant glory.

What the apostles witnessed on the mountain was a glimpse of what God desires for every believer. Christ’s divinity shone through His humanity, revealing the future that awaits those who remain united with Him. Our ordinary lives—with their work, family responsibilities, joys, and struggles—are meant to become places where God’s grace quietly shines.

The Father’s words, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him,” remain the surest guide for every Christian. We listen to Christ when we immerse ourselves in Sacred Scripture, speak with Him in prayer, receive Him in the sacraments, and recognize His presence in the ordinary circumstances of each day. Through this constant listening, we are gradually transformed, not by escaping our humanity but by allowing it to be elevated and sanctified.

This is why we need to cultivate a truly supernatural outlook. A well-ordered spiritual life nourished by prayer, the sacraments, and daily conversion enables us to see beyond appearances. It allows us to face each day with serenity, to work generously, and to remain focused on doing God’s will instead of becoming consumed by fear or discouragement.

The Transfiguration was also a gift of strength. Jesus revealed His glory shortly before His agony in Gethsemane and His death on Calvary. He prepared His disciples for the scandal of the Cross by allowing them to glimpse the triumph that lay beyond it. In the same way, the memory of Tabor strengthens us whenever we must carry our own crosses.

Our response to suffering, therefore, cannot remain merely human. While we should use every legitimate means to solve our problems, we must also unite every trial with the sacrifice of Christ. Difficulties become occasions for deeper faith, greater patience, and more generous love when they are offered together with Him.

Faith also teaches us to lift our eyes above immediate circumstances. If we focus only on what is visible, discouragement easily takes hold. But when we see life through the light of God’s providence, we discover that He can draw good even from situations that seem confusing or painful. Nothing is wasted in His loving plan.

This perspective helps us remain calm amid life’s storms. Fear, anxiety, and uncontrolled emotions often cloud our judgment and weaken our peace. Confidence in God does not remove every difficulty, but it gives us the inner strength to face them with clarity, courage, and hope.

We should also learn the holy art of beginning again. Instead of dwelling on failures or becoming imprisoned by regret, we can treat every setback as an opportunity to grow in humility, wisdom, and perseverance. A recollected heart quickly rises after every fall because it knows that God’s mercy is always greater than human weakness.

Ultimately, the Feast of the Transfiguration teaches us to bring Tabor into our Calvary. We carry in our hearts the certainty that beyond every cross lies the promise of resurrection. When we remember the glory Christ has prepared for those who love Him, we can embrace even the hardest moments with peaceful confidence, knowing that the road of the Cross always leads to the everlasting light of God’s kingdom.

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com