by Fr. Jonathan H. Cholcher
Metamorphosis (Gk., met-a-MOR-phō-sis) refers to a process of change from one form to another, that is, a transformation. Most school children are familiar with this process as illustrated in the life cycle of a butterfly: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (cocoon), adult. The organism that emerges at the end of the cycle differs dramatically from the organism that begins the process, usually changing from a non-descript entity to a highly specialized, intricate, and beautiful creature.
God designed life in this universe with metamorphosis in mind. Human beings, the crown of creation, the final creatures to be created – “in the image and likeness of God” (Gen. 1:26) – are to be the apex of transformation. Human beings are to summarize this process of metamorphosis in a continual demonstration of growth in the grace of God. “We all, with unveiled face (like Moses turning to and speaking with the Lord), beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18).
Sadly, tragically, human beings in pride and self-love, ever pursue metamorphosis (it’s built into our DNA), but not according to God’s design. Thus metamorphosis takes on many variations in the quest of people to change their form. These transformations range from the innocent (seemingly just natural) to the demonic (purposely anti-God): diet and exercise; body-building and body-sculpting; cosmetic surgery; hair dyes, tattoos, and body piercings; fashion; mechanical enhancement; pharmaceuticals; sex reassignment procedures; etc.
Transgenderism and transhumanism are two terms expressing the demonic, religious aspect of a metamorphosis becoming more and more popular in Western culture today. Both of these seek to fundamentally alter a human person according to purely human design using techniques of purely human invention. Both movements are rooted in the fundamental conviction that there is no God from whom we exist and to whom we must live.; therefore, we are free to transform ourselves any way we see fit.
Saint Paul writes: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2). Earlier in this same Epistle, the Apostle provides the key to transformation. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Rom. 8:28-30).
True transformation results in becoming more Christ-like. This is, first and foremost, an inner, or spiritual, call to change toward God’s plan, a renewal of the mind and heart. “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16). A mind renewed in repentance and faith enlightens the eyes of our understanding (Eph. 1:18), and with eyes truly opened we begin to see the image of what we should be. Now when we look “in the mirror” to see ourselves, we see the image of Christ, not as we intend to make according to our own designs, but as purified and growing according to the grace of the Holy Spirit “in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” (Eph. 5:9).
Christ Jesus reveals this metamorphosis in His own person. “[Jesus] took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem…a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!’” (Luke 9:28-31, 34-35; see also Matt. 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-10).
Metamorphosis reveals “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6), literally. In the metamorphosis of Christ we recognize God the Holy Trinity, and we participate in that revelation with all the saints. This metamorphosis changes us to endure the Cross of Christ – “His decease” – and to be perfected in His resurrection, “the power of an endless (lit., indestructible) life” (Heb. 7:16). According to Saint Peter, the transformation of Christ on Mount Tabor (i.e., the Feast of Transfiguration) is the proof of our salvation in communion with the divine nature, because Jesus Christ the God-Man has given us corrupted creatures divine power of life leading to heaven (2 Pet. 1).
“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).
Metamorphosis is a process of new birth in Baptism, of purification from sin and evil passion, of illumination in the light of Christ, of gradual perfection in the righteousness of God. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, we are being changed according to the pattern revealed in Christ and His holy people (e.g., Moses, Elijah, Peter, John, James, and all the saints). We are transformed in our thoughts, in our feelings, in our desires, in our actions. Christian metamorphosis is the never-ending process of becoming more and more like God by grace, and in so doing, each and every one of us becomes more and more the unique person God intended us to be.
