And so for the rest of their lives – as every Christian is called upon to do – the Apostles walked by faith and not by sight, and faith is tried and proved only on a road that is long and rough.  The fact that their faith did not fail was, in some measure, due to the inspiration of those moments of supernatural glory which Christ had granted to them at his Transfiguration and again after his Resurrection.

There come to every devout Christian, moments when one’s spiritual life – that is, one’s personal relationship with God – is transfigured by an overwhelming sense of joy or peace: by an intense awareness of his Presence and a sure conviction of his constant care and love.

They are times when his glory breaks through and raises us above the level of the world in which we live.  Such times may be infrequent and short-lived, but they bring to us the reality of that supernatural world of God which surrounds us on every side and for which we were created.

Those moments are not given for their own sake. Their purpose is to uphold and sustain our faith in the hour of trial; so that, when everything seems to go to pieces and we are at the mercy of the harsh realities of life, we may be supported by the remembrance of the greater reality of God’s immediate presence and power.

Let us treasure such moments as and when they come, and may they strengthen our faith in the dark and difficult days, knowing that:

”Through waves and clouds and storms
his power will clear thy way:
wait thou his time; the darkest night
shall end in brightest day.(1)

Reference

1. Gerhardt, P. (1653) trans Wesley, J. (1739) and others Put thou thy trust in God.  Available from:
http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/p/p141.html (Accessed 02 August 2012) (Internet).