On this Sunday of Lent, the Gospel recounts the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor before Peter, James and John. The disciples, amazed, fall face down before such splendour, while from the cloud that covers them, the Voice of the Father calls them to listen to the Son, the object of his pleasure.

The Sources recount that 'the man of God, remaining alone and at peace, filled the woods with groans, sprinkled the earth with tears, beat his breast and, as if he had found a more intimate sanctuary, conversed with his Lord [...]

There, too, the friars, who piously observed him, heard him call out with cries and groans to divine goodness on behalf of sinners; they also heard him weep aloud for the Passion of the Lord, as if he had it before his eyes.

There, while praying at night, he was seen with his hands outstretched in the form of a cross, lifted off the ground with his whole body and surrounded by a luminous cloud: a marvellous light diffused around his body, which wonderfully testified to the light shining in his Spirit.

There, moreover, as reliable evidence testifies, the hidden mysteries of divine Wisdom were revealed to him, which he did not, however, divulge to others, except to the extent that the charity of Christ compelled him and the good of his neighbour required it [...]

When he returned from his prayers, which transformed him almost into another man, he took the greatest care to behave in harmony with others, so that the wind of applause, because of what he let slip outside, would not deprive him of his inner reward" (FF 1180 - Leggenda maggiore).

Francis guarded his transformation into 'Alter Christus' with great discretion, almost living in the cloister of his heart.

In fact, the same Sources attest:

"At first, when the true love of Christ had already transformed the lover into his own image, he began to conceal and hide the Treasure with such caution that even his closest friends did not discover it for a long time.

But divine Providence did not allow it to remain hidden forever and not come to the eyes of his loved ones [...]

One of his companions once, seeing the stigmata on his feet, said to him, 'What is this, good brother?'. 

' Mind your own business," he replied (FF 719 - Second Life of Celano) with the frankness and simplicity that distinguished him.

«This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him» (Mt 17:5)

Transfiguration of the Lord A  (Mt 17:1-9)