Grapes, wine, and the Feast of the Transfiguration

What do grapes have to do with the Feast of the Transfiguration, you might ask?

Not too much. In truth, the connection between grapes and this beautiful Feast Day is really just because the harvest of grapes took place around the time of this Feast Day and so people used to bring their grapes to the Church to have them blessed at harvest time.

That being said, today could be a day to take out your grapes or a glass of wine and also call to mind the significance of this image of grapes, the vinyard, and our Vinedresser who Himself has become our spiritual drink as we meditate on this Feast Day. The glory of the transfiguration preceeds the bitterness of the Cross which then leads to the riches of the resurrection. Just the same, the sweetness of the grape precedes the bitterness of pressing and process of making wine, which precedes the riches of such a fine drink.

So whether you serve some grapes with lunch or wine with dinner, this could be a good discussion starter at the table to meditate on these mysteries and enter into today's Feast in a way you otherwise would not have. And of course, the best way to celebrate any memorial, feast, or solemnity is to go to Mass. There we encounter the very source and summit of our entire faith: Jesus Himself, and are drawn very really into the mysteries we celebrate through the liturgy.