Faith has the power to transform lives.

Nowhere has this power been more vividly portrayed than in the Transfiguration of Jesus in front of His disciples. To many, the Transfiguration may seem distant, almost too mystical to connect with the struggles of everyday life. But in reality, it is an invitation to transformation, and to the power of faith to change our lives. It is not an event locked in biblical history but something that we, too, can experience on our own journey.

At its core, the Transfiguration reveals Jesus’ divine nature to His closest disciples on a mountaintop. The appearance of Moses and Elijah affirms Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises. Yet, what truly stands out in this moment is not just the radiant glory of Christ but the message it conveys: Faith transforms us. The disciples were not meant to remain on the mountain, basking in divine glory; rather, they were called to carry that experience of faith’s power back into the world, into the struggles, pain, and realities of daily life.

Like the disciples who witnessed this miracle, we may long to be transported beyond the difficulties of life, to bathe in a sort of mystical withdrawal from the world and all its problems. But the message of the Transfiguration is clear: Faith does not remove us from reality: it transforms how we live within it. This is the challenge and beauty of Christian discipleship—allowing the glory of Christ to shape our actions, decisions, and relationships.

We live in a world that too often values material success, power, and greed above all else. But faith calls us to a different kind of transformation, one that does not conform to worldly standards but to the will of God, the example of Christ. Consider those individuals whose lives radiate integrity, kindness, and unwavering commitment to one’s fellow man. These are the transfigured men and women—the ones who have allowed their faith to shape their every decision, even at great personal cost. The power of faith to transform their lives was, in reality, deeply practical. We see it in their commitment to remain honest in a world of corruption, to uphold integrity in daily business, to sacrifice for the well-being of others, and to find joy in serving rather than self interest.

Think of a parent who raises children with genuine faith, instilling in them values of love, justice, and compassion. Or a person who, despite being offered dishonest wealth, refuses because conscience will not allow it. I once knew a man who was given an opportunity to make a significant profit through insider trading but declined, knowing it was wrong. Another friend was invited into a fixed horse race—an easy win, a sure fortune—but turned away, unwilling to compromise his integrity. What made them reject such temptations? A transfigured heart, one that had been shaped by faith and the desire to live according to God’s will.

The greatest transformation is not in outward success but in inner renewal. Who is truly transfigured—the person who amasses great wealth through dishonest means, or the one who chooses honesty and goodness? The answer is clear to those who have ears to hear: The one whose faith illuminates his or her life with the light of Christ. This life-change does not come through mystical visions but through the daily practice of faith, hope, and love. It is the small, everyday choices to live for others, to choose honesty over deceit, to love rather than hate, that define a truly transfigured life. This is the season of Lent when we are called to to be transfigured, to fast from anything that is harmful, to make sacrifices to follow Christ. Think about it. What kind of fasting are you prepared to make this lent? Are you prepared to fast from selfishness, and be compassionate to others? Are you ready to fast from grudges and be reconciled? Are you prepared to stop judging others, to be silent and pray for them? This is the kind of fasting that transfigures a person from within. 

Consider the life of Count Leo Tolstoy. At the height of his literary fame, he experienced a crisis of meaning. He had achieved success, wealth, and recognition, yet he found himself asking: “What is it all for?” In that moment of existential searching, he realized that the only thing that truly mattered was to love and serve others. In response, he freed his serfs and chose to live simply, embracing the gospel’s call to transformation. Tolstoy’s life was transfigured—not through external accolades but through the power of faith reshaping his very being.

And so, the Transfiguration is not just a story from Scripture; its an invitation to deeper faith and renewal of life. It teaches us that true glory is found not in escaping life’s struggles but in allowing God’s light to shine through them. Jesus did not remain on the mountain. He descended to face suffering and ultimately the Cross. Likewise, our faith is meant to carry us back into the world, changed and ready to bring Christ’s light to others.

May we be transfigured—not in momentary spiritual highs, but in a lasting, daily transformation that brings meaning, integrity, and love into every corner of our lives.

—Fr. Hugh Duffy, Ph.D.