Reading the transfiguration, it is the only time in the Bible they describe Jesus being seen in all his glory.

Do you think this is how Jesus will be at the second coming? Face shining like the sun with great power ?

Yes, in fact those who are saved will have a glorious body similar to that of Jesus Christ but on a different level:

https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12792a.htm

Bold is mine:

These three characteristics, identity, entirety, and immortality, will be common to the risen bodies of the just and the wicked. But the bodies of the saints shall be distinguished by four transcendent endowments, often called qualities.

-The first is "impassibility", which shall place them beyond the reach of pain and inconvenience. "It is sown", says the Apostle, "in corruption, it shall rise in incorruption" (1 Corinthians 15:42). The Schoolmen call this quality impassibility', not incorruption, so as to mark it as a peculiarity of the glorified body; the bodies of the damned will be incorruptible indeed, but not impassible; they shall be subject to heat and cold, and all manner of pain.

-The next quality is "brightness", or "glory", by which the bodies of the saints shall shine like the sun. "It is sown in dishonour," says the Apostle, "it shall rise in glory" (1 Corinthians 15:43; cf. Matthew 13:43; 17:2; Philippians 3:21). All the bodies of the saints shall be equally impassible, but they shall be endowed with different degrees of glory. According to St. Paul: "One is the glory of the sun, another the glory of the moon, another the glory of the stars. For star differeth from star in glory"'(1 Corinthians 15:41-42).

-The third quality is that of "agility", by which the body shall be freed from its slowness of motion, and endowed with the capability of moving with the utmost facility and quickness wherever the soul pleases. The Apostle says: "It is sown in weakness, it shall rise in power" (1 Corinthians 15:43).

-The fourth quality is "subtility", by which the body becomes subject to the absolute dominion of the soul. This is inferred from the words of the Apostle: "It is sown a natural body, it shall rise a spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:44). The body participates in the soul's more perfect and spiritual life to such an extent that it becomes itself like a spirit. We see this quality exemplified in the fact that Christ passed through material objects.

Is this how Jesus is in the sacrifice of the mass? Transfigured/risen or is his crucifixion literally made present in space and time? I've yet to get a definitive answer on this, although I believe it's speculation.

The Sacrifice of the Mass is the same Sacrifice as the Sacrifice of the Cross but in an unbloody manner.

God is eternal.  So, all the Masses ever said in time all unite with the actual crucifixion.  There have been stories of saints who during the consecration recieved the stigmata in representation of Our Lord's suffering.  Most of the Eucharistic Miracles with the host shedding blood and various other miracles also often have happened during the consecration part of the Mass.

So, I would say Our Lord would be represented more appropriately as a Man of Sorrow during the Mass rather than as transfigured.

While the sacrifice of Calvary is absolutely essential to the Eucharistic Jesus, my understanding from saints and priests over the years is that because God is outside of time He is present at every age in the Holy Eucharist.

I don't know where to find quotes at this point, but I believe St Padre Pio saw a vision of the Christ Child in the Holy Eucharist and saw Christ in the womb which revealed to Him that Mary is also present in an important way.

My NO Catholic school teacher in the 70's would admonish us not to chew the Baby Jesus when we received the Eucharist.  :)


I heard a recent sermon explaining that the event of the Transfiguration was a way of showing us that Jesus was using considerable restraint to hide the truth of his nature behind His flesh while He was on earth.  If His nature was allowed to be revealed it would have beguiled and overwhelmed everyone just as it did Peter.

They said that indeed the Transfigured Christ is present in the Eucharist where He is hidden behind the appearance of bread and if His flesh was truly revealed it would have the same level of amazing glowingness as the actual Transfiguration.  


But blessed are those who believe who have not seen.