As Christians, we are called to a sacred journey of drawing ever closer to Jesus, shaping our hearts to reflect His love and holiness. This path unfolds in four radiant stages—foundational, awakened, contemplative, and unitive. TAPPING, Spiritual Fencing and Vox Divini Meditation are three practices that help us to deepen our union with God through these stages. Picture the Transfiguration: the disciples walking with Jesus, climbing up the mountain, beholding His glory, and coming down and ministering in His company (Mt 17:1–8). These stages guide us from aligning our will to our actions, and finally to our entire life with Christ. The foundational and advanced levels build discipline and regularity, ensuring fidelity to daily duties even in the contemplative stage, where grace brings joy. Across all stages, God’s grace sustains and transforms us, enabling us to rise, strive, rejoice, and abide in Him. This article reveals how TAPPING, spiritual fencing, and Vox Divini meditation grow through these stages.

Understanding the Practices

• TAPPING is a heartfelt prayer with seven elements: Thanksgiving (giving thanks for God’s gifts), Adoration (worshipping His greatness), Pardon (seeking forgiveness), Praise (celebrating His goodness), Intercession (praying for others), New Life (seeking renewal), and Good Action (promising to act like Jesus). It evolves from structured prayer to constant communion with God.
• Spiritual Fencing guards your mind by focusing on 10 daily areas, such as Holy Mass, Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, work, or kindness. It keeps thoughts rooted in God. You review these in the evening or before going to bed, striving to resist distractions or temptations. You also turn thoughts into conversations with Jesus, saints, or angels.
• Vox Divini Meditation draws on God’s grace to shape us into Christ’s likeness. It follows five steps, remembered with the word POWER: presence (entering God’s presence), offer (offering your heart), word (reflecting on Scripture), engage (noticing Christ’s qualities), and response (praying, “Lord, I want to be like You,” and choosing actions to imitate Him). It grows from simple insights to a grace-filled transformation.

1. Foundational Stage: Walking with Jesus

The foundational Stage mirrors the disciples’ early days with Jesus, filled with zeal but marked by stumbles. You begin TAPPING, spiritual fencing, and Vox Divini meditation, but the path is steep, and failures are frequent. The goal is union of will, where you desire to be like Jesus, even if your actions falter. This stage fosters an orderly, disciplined lifestyle. It builds regularity in prayer and daily duties, preparing you for deeper union.

Characteristics

• TAPPING: You rely on a booklet, audio, or guided session for TAPPING’s seven elements. Prayer feels formal. You might start with Thanksgiving, but distractions pull you away, or you get stuck on one step, unable to move forward.
• Spiritual Fencing: You select 10 areas, like Holy Mass, Rosary, work, or charity, to guide your mind. You review and score them in the evening or before going to bed. But scores are often low as distractions prevail. You attempt to turn thoughts into conversations with Jesus, yet struggle and often fail.
• Vox Divini Meditation: In engages, you notice Christ’s basic qualities, like hospitality from “Come to me all who are tired and weary I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). In responses, you pray, “Lord, I want to be hospitable like you,” and plan actions, like smiling at someone. But you often forget or fail to do it which leads us to discouragement.

Biblical Insight

The disciples walk with Jesus, listening to His teachings, yet falter in their weaknesses. When Jesus says, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders,” Peter rebukes Him, and Jesus responds, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things” (Mt 16:21, 23). Despite their failures, Peter and the disciples continue following Jesus. They strive to listen and grow, sustained by grace.

Grace at Work

In this foundational stage, God’s grace acts as a gentle, steady force. It fills you with a deep desire to grow in holiness and enables you to rise each time you fall. TAPPING may feel dry, and spiritual fencing may waver as distractions take hold. Vox Divini meditation may yield few insights, with responses forgotten. Yet, grace stirs within, lifting you from despair. It urges you to continue the journey with hope. Each step, however small, draws you closer to Christ: Moved by grace, man turns toward God and away from sin (CCC 2010).

Saintly Wisdom

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, in Story of a Soul, writes: “I am only a child, powerless and weak. Yet my weakness gives me the boldness to offer myself to Your Love, O Jesus!” Her words kindle hope amid setbacks.

Practical Guidance

• TAPPING: Use a TAPPING booklet or a 30-minute YouTube audio to pray the seven elements. These help you stay focused when distractions arise or you stall on one step. Don’t worry if it feels mechanical. Keep trying. Rely on God’s grace to sustain you, even when prayer feels hard.
• Spiritual Fencing: Create a chart with 10 areas, like Holy Mass, Rosary, or kindness. Review and score them in the evening or before going to bed. Don’t lose heart over low marks. Trusting God and rising without discouragement is key: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). Turn thoughts into prayers.
• Vox Divini Meditation: Focus on structure and Scripture. Follow the five steps of Vox Divini meditation, remembered as POWER: presence, offer, word, engage, response. Learn engages (connecting to Jesus’ life) and responses (linking to actions). Don’t seek deep insights yet. You may forget the structure or principles, so review them often. Apart from meditation, read the Gospel of Mark reflectively for 30 minutes daily, verse by verse. Identify Jesus’ qualities, like compassion. Underline the phrase and write the quality in your Bible’s margin. Start with Mark for its simplicity, then explore other Gospels. After Mark and one or two others, you’ll grow skilled at spotting Jesus’ qualities. If you fail or abandon this, rise and continue.

2. Awakened Stage: Climbing the Mountain

The advanced Stage resembles the disciples climbing the mountain with Jesus. You work hard and grow stronger. TAPPING becomes a conversation, spiritual fencing sharpens control, and Vox Divini meditation deepens. The goal is union of action, where you embody Christ-like actions through effort and grace. This stage strengthens the disciplined lifestyle from the foundational level. It ensures regularity in prayer and duties, grounding you for the contemplative stage.

Characteristics

• TAPPING: TAPPING transforms into mental prayer, a personal dialogue with Jesus. You no longer need a booklet or audio. You pray the seven elements, but effort is needed to carve out time and resist distractions.
• Spiritual Fencing: You focus on 10 areas, like Holy Mass, Rosary, Adoration, work, or patience, with greater mastery. You review them in the evening or before going to bed, earning higher scores. Thoughts turn to Jesus more readily, though discipline requires effort.
• Vox Divini Meditation: In engages, you discern deeper motives behind Christ’s actions, like at Cana: “They have no wine” (Jn 2:3). Jesus spared a family embarrassment or honored His mother. In responses, you plan and act to imitate Him. Effort remains essential.

Biblical Insight

Peter, James, and John climb the mountain with Jesus: “He took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart” (Mt 17:1). The steep path tests their strength. Yet, walking with Jesus fills them with confidence that they are on the right track. They feel the weight of the climb. Still, grace enables them to press forward with effort and joy in His company.

Grace at Work

Here, grace empowers you to strive with steadfast effort. It fosters discipline and focus. Grace enables you to maintain spiritual fencing by keeping your mind on God. It supports TAPPING as a heart-to-heart conversation with Jesus without aids. In Vox Divini meditation, it helps you focus on Christ’s motives. Grace strengthens your commitment to regular prayer, work, and charity, even when the path feels steep. It urges you to run toward the prize like an athlete: “Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it” (1 Cor 9:24). Yet, grace alone is not enough; it invites your cooperation. Consider the parable of the wedding banquet, where a guest arrives without a wedding garment and is cast out: “Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?” (Mt 22:12). The invitation to the banquet is God’s grace, freely offered to all. But the wedding garment symbolizes our response—our effort to align our lives with Christ’s call. Zacchaeus, in running ahead and climbing the sycamore tree, embodies this cooperation. His hard work, enabled by grace, reflects the wedding garment of discipline and commitment. Without this effort, grace cannot bear fruit. Your labor in TAPPING, spiritual fencing, and Vox Divini meditation is your response to God’s invitation, weaving the garment that prepares you for deeper union with Him.

Saintly Wisdom

St. Teresa of Ávila, in Interior Castle (Third Mansions), writes: “These souls work with great diligence to advance in virtue. They carefully observe their Rule.” Her words capture this stage’s disciplined zeal.

Practical Guidance

• TAPPING: Set aside 15–30 minutes for TAPPING as mental prayer. Focus on the seven elements. Persevere through distractions. Trust grace to guide you.
• Spiritual Fencing: Create a chart with 10 areas, like daily Mass, Rosary, or Adoration. Focus intentionally on these, putting in hard work. Review and score in the evening or before going to bed. Stay faithful even when tempted to falter. Grace enables you to work hard and stay disciplined.
• Vox Divini Meditation: Since you know Jesus’ qualities, like loving or generous, from the foundational level, focus on His subtle motives. For example, at Cana (Jn 2:3), Jesus spared a family shame or obeyed His mother. These reveal deeper aspects of His character. Follow the Vox Divini meditation structure. Plan actions to imitate these motives.

3. Contemplative Stage: The Transfiguration Experience

The contemplative Stage mirrors the disciples beholding Jesus’ glory at the Transfiguration. Grace fills your soul, making TAPPING, spiritual fencing, and Vox Divini meditation joyful and light. The goal is union of action enabled by grace. Effort persists but feels effortless, as grace leads you to act like Christ. In Vox Divini meditation, the structure softens into a heart-filled conversation with Jesus. Yet, you strive to keep responding to avoid insight-driven meditation. As grace takes over, the structures of TAPPING and Vox Divini meditation fade. They guide beginners through discipline until grace leads freely. The discipline from earlier stages ensures you stay faithful to daily duties. This prevents you from seeking refuge in mystical experiences alone.

Characteristics

• TAPPING: Prayer flows freely, not strictly following the seven elements in order. You rest in God’s presence. You naturally thank, praise, adore, or intercede throughout the day. At least two or three times a week, surrender your heart. Seek cleansing in the blood of Jesus. Do this daily if sins, hurts, or disturbances break your peace.
• Spiritual Fencing: Your 10 areas, like Mass, Rosary, Adoration, or service, flow effortlessly. Joy fills you as grace makes discipline easy. Grace purifies your heart. These areas become a natural expression of love for God, without charts or reviews in the evening. Thoughts turn to Jesus without effort.
• Vox Divini Meditation: In engages, you receive profound insights that surpass human understanding. This flows from a mind cleared by spiritual fencing. In responses, you reflect Christ’s actions with ease. Grace makes tasks, like Peter’s offer to build tents—“Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings” (Mt 17:4)—feel light and joyful.

Biblical Insight

Atop the mountain, Peter, James, and John witness the Transfiguration: “And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun” (Mt 17:2). They are immersed in Christ’s glory. Grace lifts all burdens, turning hard work into joy. Peter offers to build three tents (Mt 17:4). He eagerly commits to descending, gathering materials, and climbing again. This task is grueling. Yet, grace makes it a joyful act, free of struggle.

Grace at Work

In this stage, grace takes the lead, transforming heavy tasks into joyful acts. It enables you to spend long hours in prayer, service, or mission without weariness. God’s strength sustains you: “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles” (Is 40:31). In work or interactions, grace lets you glimpse Christ’s glory. You act with His compassion and wisdom effortlessly. Others may see your efforts as demanding. But grace makes them light, filling you with peace and vitality. Your disciplined life remains steadfast.

Saintly Wisdom

St. John of the Cross, in The Ascent of Mount Carmel (Book II, Chapter 13), writes: “In contemplation, God teaches the soul and moves it. The soul’s part is to be gentle and receptive.” This shows grace guiding TAPPING and meditation.

Practical Guidance

• TAPPING: Let TAPPING flow naturally, merging with Mass or Adoration. Thank, praise, or intercede as grace leads throughout the day. Skip rigid structure. Surrender and seek cleansing in Jesus’ blood two or three times weekly. Do this daily if needed to heal sins or hurts.
• Spiritual Fencing: Joyfully offer your 10 or more areas, like Mass, Rosary, or Adoration, to God all day. Grace makes them effortless. Skip charts or reviews in the evening. Rejoice in God’s presence.
• Vox Divini Meditation: As the structure fades into a heart-filled conversation, strive, with grace, to focus on response-oriented meditation. Avoid being swept away by beautiful insights. Only responses help you become like Christ. Follow the structure as best you can, prioritizing responses. During extra Bible reading, note insights and connections. Link the Gospels, Old Testament, St. Paul’s letters, Catholic epistles, Revelation, and other writings in a diary for reflection.

4. Unitive Stage: Living in Union with God

The unitive Stage is like the disciples descending the mountain with Jesus, fully one with Him. TAPPING, spiritual fencing, and Vox Divini meditation become your life, wrapped in God’s presence. The goal is union of life. Your whole life reflects Christ. Every action, small or great, flows with God’s love as you dwell in the Trinity. Seek spiritual direction to discern this union.

Characteristics

• TAPPING: Prayer is your entire life, not a separate act. Your heart is so united with God that you live in constant thanksgiving, praise, adoration, and intercession. No structure is needed.
• Spiritual Fencing: You no longer track or review your 10 areas, like Mass, Rosary, or Adoration. Your whole life rests in God. Thoughts stay united with Him.
• Vox Divini Meditation: Engages and responses cease to be planned. Your life mirrors Christ naturally. You are “inserted into the Trinity.” Living like Him is your nature.

Biblical Insight

Descending the mountain, the disciples join Jesus in active ministry: “As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead’” (Mt 17:9). They are fully united with Him. They preach, heal, and serve among people, never losing Christ’s presence. Their lives are a seamless witness to His love.

Grace at Work

In this stage, grace so transforms you that living like Christ becomes your nature. You no longer act like Jesus through conscious effort. His love flows through you in every moment, whether in prayer, work, or service: “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20). Grace makes you at home with God, like a branch abiding in the vine: “Abide in me as I abide in you” (Jn 15:5). No moment separates you from Him. Your entire life—every thought, word, and deed—radiates Christ. You fulfill your apostolate with boundless generosity.

Saintly Wisdom

St. Teresa of Ávila, in Interior Castle (Seventh Mansions), writes: “The soul is now so transformed into God that it cannot be separated from Him.” St. Francis of Assisi’s “My God and my All” sings of this divine union.

Clarifying the Transfiguration: A Lens for the Spiritual Journey

The Transfiguration is a vivid portrait of the four stages of the spiritual life. It is not a literal timeline where disciples were foundational before the event and unitive afterward. This single episode captures their journey: walking with Jesus, climbing the mountain, beholding His glory, and descending to serve (Mt 17:1–13). It illustrates the progression from desiring Christ to acting like Him, and finally living fully united with Him. The disciples’ later struggles, like Peter’s denial—“I do not know the man!” (Lk 22:57)—show that spiritual growth is not a straight path. It is a lifelong journey of grace, effort, and perseverance. The Transfiguration reveals how each stage builds on the previous. It guides us through discipline and grace toward union with God. This event invites us to trust God’s grace at every step. It calls us to grow in love and holiness across a lifetime.

Zacchaeus: A Portrait of Transformation: The story of Zacchaeus offers another inspiring reflection of these four stages. It shows how grace and effort lead to a life united with Christ. Each stage in his encounter with Jesus mirrors the spiritual journey, guiding us toward transformation (Lk 19:1–10).

• Foundational Stage: Zacchaeus yearns to see Jesus, a deep stirring of the heart that reflects the union of will: “He was trying to see who Jesus was” (Lk 19:3). This longing burns brightly. Yet, obstacles block his way: his shortness of stature, an internal limit, and the crowd, an external barrier. Like the disciples faltering in their early walk, Zacchaeus cannot overcome these by desire alone. Grace works gently here. It enables him to rise above discouragement. It kindles hope for an encounter with Christ and urges him to persevere.
• Awakened Stage: Zacchaeus acts with resolute effort. He runs ahead of the crowd and climbs a sycamore tree: “So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him” (Lk 19:4). This union of action mirrors the disciples’ climb up the mountain. Effort and discipline shape their path. Zacchaeus sees his limitations and strives to transcend them. His actions reflect the hard work of spiritual fencing, TAPPING, and Vox Divini meditation. Grace empowers him to labor with focus. It grants strength to maintain boundaries and pursue Christ intentionally.
• Contemplative Stage: Grace takes the lead as Jesus looks up and calls Zacchaeus by name. Jesus seeks to dine at his house: “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today” (Lk 19:5). Zacchaeus descends joyfully, experiencing a transformative encounter with Christ. This moment echoes the disciples at the Transfiguration. This union of action enabled by grace reveals God’s desire to dwell within him. It fills his heart with divine light. Grace makes his response effortless as he welcomes Jesus with joy. The discipline from earlier stages keeps him grounded in daily duties. Grace renders demanding tasks light. Zacchaeus acts with Christ’s love in every interaction.
• Unitive Stage: Zacchaeus brings Jesus into his home. He gives half his wealth to the poor and restores fourfold to those he cheated: “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much” (Lk 19:8). His life becomes a living reflection of Christ. He carries God’s presence into his home, workplace, and service, like the disciples ministering with Jesus. This union of life makes a Christian so at home with grace that he lives united with Christ in every moment. It is not just during prayer or Mass. Grace transforms his nature. He serves generously, embodying Christ’s mercy in all he does. He fulfills his apostolate with a heart fully one with God.

Conclusion

The spiritual life is a sacred journey with Jesus, from hesitant steps to radiant oneness. Your heart beats with His love. Through TAPPING, spiritual fencing, and Vox Divini meditation, you weave your will, actions, and life into Christ’s divine embrace. Begin where you are. Trust God’s grace to light each step. Let the Transfiguration’s glory and Zacchaeus’ transformation set your soul ablaze. They draw you into God’s heart, where you shine as His mercy for the world. As St. Peter calls, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pt 3:18).