MONDAY.
The Transfiguration.— I.
I. Christ vouchsafed to manifest His glory to His Apostles in His transfiguration, in order to confirm them in the faith; to encourage them to carry their cross, to which He had lately exhorted them, and to give them beforehand a taste and glimpse of heavenly joys, which are prepared for the virtuous. He led them to the top of a high mountain, in a sequestered place, to teach us, that we must retire from the cares of the world and ascend the mountain of perfection, if we wish to contemplate the face and glory of God.
II. Christ would have but few witnesses of His glory, viz., only three of his disciples, but all kinds of persons were witnesses of His ignominies and His sufferings. Therefore, on the cross He said by the mouth of His prophet, "O all ye, who pass by the way, attend and see." (Lam. i. 12.) By these three disciples are prefigured the three virtues that accompany contemplation and prayer, and concur to the soul's transfiguration; in Peter faith, in James hope, and in John charity. Examine what progress you make in these necessary virtues.
III. "And whilst He prayed, the appearance of His countenance was altered." (Luke ix. 29.) Our Lord was transfigured whilst He was praying, in order to teach us, that prayer transfigures and beautifies the soul of man, so as sometimes to have a visible effect on the body. Thus the "face of Moses was horned from the conversation of the Lord." (Exod. xxxiv. 29.) Beseech our Lord to alter and change you into another man, that is, to make you holy, in order that having divested your-
