God’s Providence in All Things – Transfiguration – Aug 06 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Aug 06, 2025, where he reflects on the providential connections between Pope St. Paul VI's death, the Feast of the Transfiguration, and personal milestones like baptism, emphasizing God's meaningful signs in our lives.

Father reflects on the profound connections between the Feast of the Transfiguration and the 47th anniversary of Pope St. Paul VI's death, whose papal motto, "Cum ipso in monte, in nomine domini," and coat of arms symbolize the Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed His glory on Mount Tabor, as described in Matthew 17:1-8. He highlights how Pope Paul VI, formerly Cardinal Montini, chose a motto meaning "with Him on the mountain," reflecting both his name and this feast, which coincidentally marked his death on August 6, 1978. Father shares a personal connection, noting his own baptism occurred on the same day, a discovery that deepened his sense of God's providence. He also recounts the story of Jerry Walker, who died on July 16, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, surrounded by family, fulfilling his prayer while wearing the brown scapular, a sign of devotion to Mary as taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 1674. Father emphasizes that life’s key moments—birthdays, baptisms, and anniversaries—are not random but are signs of God’s love, CCC 1257, which underscores baptism’s role in making us adopted children of God. He urges the faithful to seek these divine fingerprints, trusting that God speaks through liturgical feasts and personal milestones to draw us closer to Him.

For Further Reading

Matthew 17:1-8 - NAB - The Transfiguration of Jesus - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/17?1
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1674 - Sacramentals and Devotion - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c4a1.htm#1674
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1257 - Baptism's Necessity and Grace - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1256
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1129 - Sacraments and God's Plan - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s1c1a2.htm#1129
Catholic Encyclopedia - Transfiguration - https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15019a.htm
Franciscan Media - Our Lady of Mount Carmel - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/our-lady-of-mount-carmel/
USCCB - Baptism in the Church - https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/baptism
Vatican - Pope Francis on Baptism - https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2018/documents/papa-francesco_20180411_udienza-generale.html

Ave Maria!

Mass: Transfiguration of the Lord - Feast - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15019a.htm
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/080625.cfm
1st: dan 7:9-10, 13-14
Resp: psa 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
2nd: 2pe 1:16-19
Gsp: luk 9:28-36

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1125

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