The One Necessary Change

+

J.M.J.

Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ - "His Face did shine as the sun: and His garments became white as snow" (from the Holy Gospel, Mt. 17.1-9).

There's only one change, one real growth and progress that matters in this life - our more perfect transformation into and conformity with Christ: "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4.13), "Be ye perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt. 5.48).

How's the seed of divine life (sanctifying grace) implanted in us at Baptism? That's the only thing we can bring with us before God when our time finally ends up sooner or later. And we can only go to our place among the Blessed in heaven when God is pleased to see in us that Life that has borne all the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Ghost in their full flower (the Beatitudes). "GROW* in grace, and in the knowledge of Our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3.18). All our efforts are in vain when this is overlooked and neglected.

* There's no instant perfection ('Born-Again' Protestantism). It's highest possible degree attainable here is at the end line of our life - at our last breath. Many are still at the beginning stage of the Christian Life and therefore should be struggling to rise from their sins - especially from their habits of sin, occult or not - and from their imperfections; they are still in the First and Second Mansions of St. Teresa's "Interior Castle". These souls are not the downfall of the Catholic Church. Patience...

Today, being a First Saturday, may the repeated prayers in the Holy Rosary Our Immaculate Mother earnestly recommends to us work to strike repeatedly in effacing from us every resemblance still to that filthy proud infernal spirit who is the devil.