As we enter the Ember Saturday of Lent (Sabbato Quattuor Temporum Quadragesimæ), Holy Mother Church calls us to a deeper penitential spirit, a renewal of fervor, and an ascent towards the divine. The Ember Days, ancient in their origin, are times of fasting, prayer, and supplication, inviting us to sanctify the changing seasons and implore God for holy vocations. The readings of this day, 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23 and Matthew 17:1-9, offer us profound meditations on the interior life of the Christian, the call to sanctity, and the vision of divine glory that strengthens us for the trials of Lent.
I. The Call to Holiness and Spiritual Vigilance (1 Thess. 5:14-23)
In this passage, St. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians:
“And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men. See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good towards each other and towards all men. Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In all things give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all. Extinguish not the Spirit. Despise not prophecies. But prove all things; hold fast that which is good. From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves. And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things; that your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 5:14-23)
These words outline a program of life for the Christian, particularly fitting for Lent and the Ember Days, which emphasize purification of soul and body.
1. Spiritual Discipline and the Life of Grace
St. John Chrysostom, commenting on this passage, emphasizes that Paul’s exhortation to “pray without ceasing” means not only vocal prayer but a life steeped in the presence of God:
“He who is always giving thanks for all things, he who prays without ceasing, holds fast to good things. For gratitude makes the soul sober, vigilant, and fervent” (Homilies on Thessalonians).
The Ember Days are precisely this—times to rekindle spiritual vigilance, to “hold fast that which is good” and abandon distractions that lead away from God. The fasts of this season remind us that the whole person—body, soul, and spirit—must be engaged in the pursuit of holiness.
2. The Role of Patience and Charity
St. Paul’s command to “be patient towards all men” and “support the weak” recalls the words of St. Augustine, who teaches that true fasting must be accompanied by charity:
“Do you fast? Give proof of it by your works. If you see a poor man, have mercy on him. If you see an enemy, be reconciled to him. If you see a friend receiving honors, do not envy him. If you see a beautiful woman, pass her by” (Sermon on Lent).
The spiritual fast of Lent is incomplete if it is not linked to acts of mercy and patience. The Ember Days remind us not only of personal purification but also of the duty to support the weak, encourage the fainthearted, and persevere in charity.
II. The Transfiguration: A Foretaste of Glory in the Midst of Lenten Penance (Matt. 17:1-9)
In the Gospel for this Ember Saturday, we are given the account of the Transfiguration:
“And after six days, 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.” (Matt. 17:1-3)
1. The Mountain of the Transfiguration and the Ascent of the Soul
St. Gregory the Great beautifully connects the Transfiguration with the ascent of the soul towards God:
“He is said to have led them up a high mountain, signifying that those who desire to contemplate the glory of the Transfiguration must first ascend through contemplation and good works” (Homilies on the Gospels).
Lent itself is a climb, an arduous ascent towards divine intimacy. The Ember Days, in their fasting and prayer, purify the soul so that we may become fit to behold Christ in His glory. This Gospel reminds us why we fast: to be transformed into the likeness of Christ.
2. Moses, Elijah, and the Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets
The presence of Moses and Elijah points to Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. St. Jerome explains:
“Moses, who died, and Elias, who was taken up, appear to signify that Christ is Lord of both the dead and the living” (Commentary on Matthew).
Just as Moses fasted forty days on Sinai, and Elijah fasted forty days on his journey to Horeb, so too are we called in these forty days of Lent to encounter God in the silence of fasting and prayer.
3. The Fear of the Disciples and the Gentle Consolation of Christ
When the apostles fall on their faces in fear, Christ gently touches them and says: “Arise, and be not afraid” (Matt. 17:7). This moment is profoundly symbolic. In our Lenten trials, our weaknesses, and our falls, Christ does not leave us in terror but lifts us up. St. Leo the Great draws from this:
“The voice of the Father is heard, not to terrify, but to instruct; the splendor of Christ is revealed, not to dazzle, but to illuminate” (Sermon on the Transfiguration).
Even amid the rigor of fasting, the Church gives us moments of divine consolation, glimpses of the eternal reward that await those who persevere. The Transfiguration is a foretaste of Easter glory, strengthening us in our Lenten discipline.
Conclusion: The Ember Days as a Time of Spiritual Renewal
The Ember Saturday of Lent brings together these two themes—the spiritual discipline of Thessalonians and the luminous vision of the Transfiguration. Lent is not merely a time of mourning but a period of purification that prepares us to ascend, like the apostles, to behold the glory of Christ.
We are reminded to:
- Sanctify body and soul through fasting and vigilance (1 Thess. 5:14-23).
- Encourage and support others in charity and patience (1 Thess. 5:14).
- Contemplate the divine mystery and seek transformation through grace (Matt. 17:1-9).
- Fear not, but arise—knowing that Christ walks with us in our Lenten journey (Matt. 17:7).
As we continue our Lenten fast, let us embrace the spirit of the Ember Days: a time of purification, a time of seeking holiness, and ultimately, a preparation for the joy of Easter.
“Lord, transfigure our hearts, that through fasting, prayer, and charity, we may ascend with Thee to the heights of holiness!”