Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 6 Aug 2026
Transfiguration of the Lord, Feast
Dan 7:9-10, 13-14. Mt 17:1-9
Tabor and Calvary
Every morning he wakes up with the same weight in his heart. There are bills to pay, people to meet, wounds to hide, responsibilities to carry, and questions for which there are no easy answers. His life feels like a daily climb. It is not always dramatic. It is not always visible to others. But inside him, every day, he climbs a Calvary.
Some days, he feels tired before the day begins. Some days, he wants to explain himself to everyone. Some days, he wants to make sense of his suffering. Some days, he asks, “Why should I carry this cross again?”
But on the Feast of the Transfiguration, the Gospel tells him: do not forget Mount Tabor while you climb Calvary.
On Tabor, Jesus is transfigured. His face shines like the sun. His clothes become white as light. For a moment, the disciples see not only the teacher from Nazareth, but the Lord of glory. They see the hidden light that was always there. Before they see His wounded face on Calvary, they are allowed to see His shining face on Tabor.
This is what he must remember. His suffering is real, but it is not the whole truth. His wounds are real, but they are not the final word. His Calvary is real, but Tabor is also real.
The first reading from Daniel opens an even greater vision. Thrones are set in place. The Ancient One takes His seat. Thousands upon thousands serve Him. One like a Son of Man comes with the clouds of heaven. Dominion, glory, and kingship are given to Him. His kingdom shall not pass away.
This is not ordinary time. This is God’s time.
In human time, things appear broken. Evil seems strong. The just suffer. The innocent wait. The weak are crushed. The future looks uncertain. But in God’s time, things will end well. Glory is already prepared. The kingdom already belongs to the Son of Man. The final word is not confusion, but glory.
Therefore, the one who climbs the Calvary of life every day must remember the unbeatable cosmic glory that was shown on Tabor and promised in Daniel. The glory of God is not fragile. It is not defeated by the cross. It passes through the cross and shines beyond it.
Peter, however, does what we often do. He begins to speak. “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will make three tents.” He wants to arrange the moment. He wants to give meaning to it. He wants to do something.
But while he is still speaking, the Father’s voice interrupts him: “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.”
That is enough.
The disciple does not need to understand everything. He does not need to explain everything. He does not need to speak always. He does not need to make sense of every pain immediately. It is enough to listen.
The man who climbs Calvary every day learns slowly that faith is not the power to explain suffering. Faith is the grace to keep walking while listening to Jesus. He learns that Tabor is not an escape from Calvary. Tabor is the memory that gives strength for Calvary.
So he rises again. He carries what must be carried. He does the work given to him. He loves the people placed before him. He does not need to speak much. He does not need to prove much. He does not need to make everything clear.
It is enough that he remembers Tabor.
It is enough that he trusts God’s time.
It is enough that he listens to the Son.
For the one who listens to Jesus, Calvary will not be the end. The light of Tabor will shine again.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
A Yesni Prays Initiative
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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