The Transfiguration as Substantially an Experience of Prayer

In his words at today's midday Angelus, Pope Benedict mentioned the spiritual exercises of the past week as "a week of silence and prayer," a little bit like the Transfiguration, which is the subject of today's Gospel reading for Mass.  Jesus wanted His disciples to have a direct experience of His divine glory, so that they would be able to face the scandal of the Cross.  The Holy Father described the Transfiguration as "substantially an experience of prayer", which reaches its peak and becomes a source of interior light "when the spirit of man clings to that of God, and their wills blend almost to the point of forming a single whole."

He also mentioned today's observance of International Women's Day, and asked for prayer for his upcoming journeys to Africa and the Holy Land.

The original Italian text is available at the Vatican Press Office's Daily Bulletin.  Asia News has an article.  Full English translations are available at Zenit and Papa Ratzinger Forum.