Smoke — Thursday, August 6
Feast of the Transfiguration
Awe & Illumination Leaf: Connecticut
Pour: Angel’s Envy
Question: What light is Christ revealing to me today
The Feast of the Transfiguration is a day when the world seems briefly washed in a brightness not its own. Christ does not merely shine on the mountain; He unveils what has always been true of Him. The disciples, startled and blinking, witness a glory that had been hidden beneath the humility of His flesh. Revelation arrives not as spectacle but as disclosure—light breaking through what once seemed ordinary.
A Connecticut leaf suits the moment. Its mild, aromatic burn invites attentiveness rather than force. Angel’s Envy, warm and amber, becomes the quiet echo of that same illumination—a sweetness that lingers after the first flash of light has passed. Together they form a small liturgy of perception, a reminder that revelation often comes gently.
So the question rises: What light is Christ revealing to me today? Perhaps not in thunder, but in the slow ascent of my own small mountain—my duties, my prayers, my hidden sacrifices. The Transfiguration is not only an event; it is a promise of what Christ intends to accomplish in us.
And the holy souls in Purgatory share this movement toward brightness. Their purification is illumination—light burning away the last shadows. When we offer suffrages for them, we help draw them closer to union with God, crowding heaven with intercessors who will one day remember us.
We go to their side in their need, that they may come to ours in ours.
Lord, reveal the light You are kindling in me. Make me faithful to it.
AUGUST
6 Thursday-Transfiguration of the Lord
Root
Beer Float-National Night Out
Matthew, Chapter 17, verse 5-8
While
he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then
from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am
well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell
prostrate and were very much AFRAID. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when
the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
The apostles during the
transfiguration heard the voice of the Father; saw the light of the Holy Spirit
and were touched by the Son of God, Christ the Messiah. They fully experienced
the triune God which empowered them for the trial ahead.
Copilot’s
Take
The Transfiguration is the
moment when fear meets glory and collapses into worship. Peter, James, and John
fall prostrate because the veil is torn and the radiance of God overwhelms
their mortal senses. The Father speaks (CCC 444), the Spirit overshadows (CCC
697), and the Son touches them with human hands that carry divine authority
(CCC 459). In that single moment, the apostles encounter the Trinity not as
doctrine but as living Presence. Their terror is real, but so is Christ’s
command: “Rise, and do not be afraid.” The Transfiguration is not given to
frighten them but to strengthen them for the darkness ahead.
The Catechism teaches that
Christ’s glory revealed on the mountain is a foretaste of our own destiny, the
“definitive state of man” in God (CCC 556). Yet it also teaches that this glory
is inseparable from the Cross. The apostles are shown the radiance of Christ so
they will not despair when they see His face bloodied and broken. America
stands in a similar tension: a nation capable of great light, yet increasingly
marked by moral confusion, spiritual fatigue, and cultural shadows. The danger
is not that evil exists — evil has always existed — but that people forget the
glory they were made for. When a nation forgets its spiritual horizon, fear
becomes its master.
The Catechism is clear that
humanity is engaged in a “dour combat with the powers of evil” (CCC 409). This
combat is not against one another but against sin (CCC 1849), vice (CCC 1866),
and the structures of corruption that deform the human heart (CCC 1869). The
Transfiguration reminds us that evil is confronted not by panic, rage, or
division, but by the presence of Christ. Catholics, Muslims, Jews — all
children of Abraham — know that God reveals Himself not to divide but to draw
humanity into His light (CCC 839–843). The devil thrives on suspicion; God
speaks from the cloud and says, “Listen to Him.”
The apostles rise because
Jesus touches them. That touch is the heart of Christian courage. It is the
assurance that holiness is stronger than hatred, truth stronger than confusion,
and divine love stronger than the darkness that threatens every culture. Judith
confronted evil with purity and strategy; the apostles confront it with vision
and obedience. Both reveal the same truth: the righteous do not fight alone.
The Catechism teaches that Christ strengthens us through His grace (CCC 2000),
His Word (CCC 103), and His presence in prayer (CCC 2565). America does not
need louder voices; it needs clearer vision — eyes lifted to Christ alone.
America does not need more
division. It needs transfiguration. It needs hearts touched by Christ, steadied
by the Father’s voice, overshadowed by the Spirit’s light. When Catholics grow
in sanctity, when Muslims deepen their submission to the Merciful One, when
Jews renew their covenant fidelity, the devil loses his foothold. The future of
our nation will not be secured by rivalry but by righteousness; not by fear but
by faith; not by suspicion but by the shared devotion of all who seek the God
who says, even now, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”
Feast
of the Transfiguration[1]
This
is the second commemoration during the liturgical year of the miracle of the
Transfiguration. (The first, on the second Sunday in Lent, recalls Christ's
divinity, while today emphasizes His triumph and glory.
GOSPEL
Matt xvii 1-9
At that time: Jesus taketh unto Him Peter and James, and John his
brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: and He was
transfigured before them. And His face did shine as the sun: and His garments
became white as snow. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking
with Him. And Peter, answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be
here: if Thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for Thee, and one
for Moses, and one for Elias. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud
overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud saying: This is My beloved
Son, in Whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him. And the disciple’s hearing, fell
upon their face: and were very much afraid. And Jesus came and touched them:
and said to them: Arise, and fear not. And they lifting up their eyes
saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus
charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen
from the dead.
Why was Jesus transfigured
before His disciples on Mount Thabor?
1. To give them manifest proof of His divinity.
2. To prevent all doubt on their part when they should see Him on Mount
Calvary.
3. To encourage all the faithful to patience under agony and suffering.
4. To show us how our glorified bodies shall rise from the dead (i. Cor.
xv. 52).
Why did Moses and Elias appear
with Our Lord?
To testify that Jesus, was the Savior of the world, spoken of by the law
and the prophets.
Night Operations[2]
This vision happened in the night.
As they went down the mountain early the next morning, Jesus bade them
not to tell anyone what they had seen till he should be risen from the dead. In
the Transfiguration Christ enjoyed for a short while that glorified state which
was to be permanently His after His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The splendor
of His inward Divinity and of the Beatific Vision of His soul overflowed on His
body and permeated His garments so that Christ stood before Peter, James, and
John in a snow-white brightness. The purpose of the Transfiguration was to
encourage and strengthen the Apostles who were depressed by their master’s
prediction of His own Passion and Death. The Apostles were made to understand
that His redeeming work has two phases: The Cross, and glory—that we shall be
glorified with Him only if we first suffer with Him.
Transfiguration-Things to do:[3]
In the Russian Orthodox church, honey, pears, apples, plums and other
fruits are brought to the church for blessing. This feast is also referred to
as "Metamorphosis" in the Eastern church.
The Transfiguration was another "first fruits" harvest feast
particularly of grapes and wheat. The Roman Ritual has a blessing of grapes and
blessing of the harvest for this feast.
Playing up on the brilliant white of the garments, decorating with white
(tablecloth, candles, etc.) and serving some white foods (mashed potatoes,
vanilla ice cream, Mexican wedding cookies, meringues, etc.) can bring to mind
that dazzling white.
Having Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration is a reminder of the Old
Testament. Bring in some Jewish recipes or foods to highlight this aspect of
the feast day.
The Catholic Tradition of Harvest Feasts of
Thanksgiving[4]
The High Middle Ages (approximately 1000 to 1250 A.D.) marked the
beginning of harvest feasts of thanksgiving with Catholic nations. These
festivals were attached to particular saint or feast days. Not all days were
celebrated everywhere, but they would vary in different countries throughout
the liturgical year. Each date links to the CatholicCulture.org page on which
the sidebar provides further information in the sections of Activities,
Prayers, Recipes, etc. for the feast day:
Feast of
the Transfiguration, August 6—This
feast corresponds with the Jewish feast of Booths or Tabernacles. Both in
Eastern churches and in Rome have the blessing of grapes, raisins and other
fruits, wine and also blessing and incorporating the wheat grains in the
celebration, particularly wheat pilaf. For more information, see my two previous commentaries on the Transfiguration.
Feast of
the Assumption, August 15—In
many Germanic countries this is thanksgiving harvest for first fruits, herbs
and flowers, with the Roman Ritual including a Blessing of Fruits and
Herbs for this feast. For
more information, see my post on the
Assumption.
Feast of
St. Bartholomew, August 24—Because
St. Bartholomew is the patron of shepherds and husbandmen, in Britain this was
another harvest feast for shepherds and farmers. Lamb and mutton are the
traditional foods for this feast.
Root
Beer Float Day[5]
Root Beer Float Day is celebrated on August
6th every year. Between the luxurious vanilla ice-cream and the sumptuous root
beer foam, how can any individual resist this delightful beverage? This
amazingly refreshing summer treat has its own special day to celebrate its
undeniable brilliance. Towards the end of the 19th century, a gentleman named
Frank Wisner created the first root beer float. Strangely, this float was
nicknamed the “black cow.” If you are wondering how to make one of these superb
drinks, then simply add a scoop of vanilla ice-cream to a cold glass of root
beer. The taste of root beer float makes the taste buds tingle with utter
excitement. To celebrate Root Beer Float Day why not create your own float?
Make the float colorful and presentable so that other people can see you have
really made an effort for this special occasion!
Around the Corner
do a personal eucharistic stations of the
cross.
Thursday Feast
Thursday is the day of the week that our Lord gave himself up for
consumption. Thursday commemorates the last supper. Some theologians believe
after Sunday Thursday is the holiest day of the week. We should then try to
make this day special by making a visit to the blessed sacrament chapel, Mass
or even stopping by the grave of a loved one. Why not plan to count the
blessing of the week and thank our Lord. Plan a special meal. Be at Peace.
According to Mary Agreda[6]
in her visions it was on a Thursday at six o'clock in the evening and at the
approach of night that the Angel Gabriel approached and announced her as Mother
of God and she gave her fiat.
KC BBQ Menu
Kansas City Ice Water Cocktail
Kansas City-Style Brisket Burnt Ends
Best
Place to visit in August: Aspen, Colorado
Easily
one of the best places to visit in the USA in August, Aspen is a posh mountain
town in Colorado that is known for its incredible skiing. But dare to visit
Aspen in August, and you’ll be treated to an incredible array of wildflowers
that come to life between June and August.
In
particular, the Maroon Bells Scenic Loop in the Snowmass Wilderness is a great
place to spot species like Wild Geranium, Indian Paintbrush, and Bush
Sunflowers. After all, it’s a 1.9-mile hike that will take you an hour to
complete and that requires advanced reservations from May through
October. Additionally, other great wildflower hikes in Aspen include Lost Man Loop, Midway Trail,
Grizzly Lake Trail, and Willow Lake Trail.
However,
when you’re ready to get off the trails, enjoy impressive views from the Silver
Queen Gondola before attending one of The Free Snowmass Thursday Night
Concerts. You can also go paddleboarding on the Roaring Fork and jump off a
rock cliff into the water at Devil’s Punch Bowl. Just don’t leave the area
without mountain biking along The Rio Grande Trail. After all, this track is
suitable for all skill levels and takes you past Woody Creek Tavern, which is a
great place to stop for lunch.
Where to Stay: The Little Nell
Nearest Airport: Denver International Airport
Average Temperatures: 77°F // 48°F
Do not be a “Material Girl”
Let Freedom Ring Day 31 Materialism
Materialism comes from a very dark place. It is a Godless place. Philosophically, materialism holds that all that is true is made up of material or comes from material interactions. Even the mind is subservient to the material world. In essence, all we have is what is measurable. No God. No heaven. No hell. No devil. Our life ends when we die. There is nothing beyond the grave. Hence, our only true happiness can be found in the accumulation of wealth, power, pleasure, and honor. Life becomes a mad dash of consumption and manipulation. Materialism is like a creeping vine; if not pulled up right away it will insinuate itself into your life and choke off any fruit a relationship with God might have born.
Start August 6 the Total Consecration to Mary to end on September 8, the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary
Foodie- Pasta alla Siracusana
Spirit Hour: Etna Rosso
Daily
Devotions
Religion in the Home for Preschool: August
Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus
Rosary
THE FAT MAN (1951)
J. Scott Smart • Julie London • Rock Hudson • Emmett Kelly Directed by William Castle • Produced by Leonard Goldstein A Circus‑Shadowed Noir of Murder, Performance, and the Uneasy Line Between Persona and Truth
The Fat Man (1951) occupies a strange and compelling corner of early‑1950s noir — a world where the circus becomes a stage for suspicion, where performance masks danger, and where the familiar tropes of shadow and crime are refracted through sawdust, spotlight, and uneasy laughter. Rock Hudson, still early in his career, appears as a young, polished presence amid the film’s eccentric ensemble, offering a glimpse of the star he would soon become. J. Scott Smart reprises his famous radio role with lumbering charisma, while Julie London and Emmett Kelly add texture from opposite ends of the emotional spectrum. William Castle directs with a blend of noir framing and carnival spectacle, letting tension accumulate in the contrast between bright performance and dark motive.
The score is traditional mid‑century orchestral noir — dramatic, brassy, and grounded. It is not eerie or spectral; instead, it underscores the tension between public persona and private truth. The film’s deeper resonance emerges from its exploration of masks: the ones performers wear, the ones suspects hide behind, and the ones ordinary people adopt to survive scrutiny.
🎞️ Film Card — The Fat Man (1951)
The Fat Man (1951) • 6.3/10 IMDb • 77 min A detective investigates a murder tied to a traveling circus, uncovering a web of secrets hidden behind greasepaint, performance, and carefully crafted personas. Noir tension meets carnival strangeness in a story where truth hides behind spectacle. Film Noir • Crime Mystery • Circus Suspense
Director William Castle Producer Leonard Goldstein Writers Frederick Stephani (screenplay), based on the radio character by Dashiell Hammett Stars J. Scott Smart, Julie London, Rock Hudson, Emmett Kelly Studio Universal-International Pictures Notable Hudson’s early-career presence — polished, understated, quietly magnetic.
1. Production & Cultural Setting
Smart’s Radio-to-Screen Persona His lumbering detective carries the weight of radio fame into visual noir.
Hudson’s Early Formation A young actor still being shaped by Universal — poised, handsome, not yet iconic.
Castle’s Hybrid Direction Noir shadows blended with circus spectacle, hinting at the showmanship he’d later embrace.
Mid‑Century Score Traditional orchestral drama — emotional, grounded, never supernatural.
2. Story Summary
A Murder in the Circus A performer’s death draws the detective into a world of masks and motives.
Performers as Suspects Clowns, acrobats, and ringmasters become figures of suspicion.
Hudson’s Role A stabilizing presence amid eccentric characters and shifting allegiances.
Truth Behind the Spotlight The investigation reveals how performance conceals danger.
Resolution The case unravels through careful observation, exposing the fragile line between persona and reality.
3. Moral & Emotional Resonances
A. Persona as Shield People hide behind roles — onstage and off.
B. Performance as Deception The circus becomes a metaphor for the masks we wear.
C. Youth Amid Shadows Hudson’s presence symbolizes clarity emerging within confusion.
D. Fear Behind Laughter Comedy and performance often conceal deeper unease.
E. Truth as Unmasking Noir’s central act: removing the disguise.
4. Hospitality Pairing — Carnival & Suspense
Drink: Rye whiskey — sharp, direct, mid‑century noir backbone.
Plate: Salted peanuts — circus‑adjacent, simple, tactile.
Atmosphere: A dim room, a single lamp, faint music from another era.
Symbol: A clown’s mask — the object that hides truth in plain sight.
5. Reflection Prompts
Where am I performing instead of revealing. Where do masks protect me — and where do they distort me. Where does fear hide behind humor. Where is clarity emerging quietly, like Hudson’s early presence. Where is truth asking to step out of the spotlight and be seen.
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