TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD – Feast
Gospel: Mk 9: 2-10
Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.
JESUS IS THE BELOVED SON OF GOD: Out of all in the Bible that is called son(s) of God, it is only Jesus who is called the “beloved Son” and we are commanded to listen to Him. From the first reading, we see Jesus receiving dominion, glory and kingship to lead all the nations to the Father. In the second reading, apostle Peter encourages us to trust in the Word of God that he and the other apostles preached; Jesus is the son of God. For they were witnesses when the voice of God said that “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” This is confirmed in the Gospel as Mark records the happenings on the moment of transfiguration. The faith that redeems humanity is the faith that Jesus is the Son of God who died to set us free.
PRAYER: Just like you spoke in the audience of the three apostles, speak to our hearts every day that Jesus is your beloved son.
*****
A PRAYER THAT CHANGES LIFE: Prayer is a time of encountering and conversing with God. The mount Tabor experience was so important for disciples to deepen their faith in Jesus and clear any doubts they had. Jesus showed them his majesty and glory. The appearance of Moses and Elijah showed that the Torah and all the prophecy find fulfillment in him. God once more affirmed that Jesus was his beloved Son and the disciples had to listen to him. Transfiguration was a foretaste of the heavenly glory that Christ was about to enter. Our journey to heaven began at our baptism. We are called daily to grow in faith through prayer. The glorified Christ appears to us in scriptures and offers himself in the Eucharist. Eucharist is a foretaste of the heavenly food. It is also the food for the journey for the sick or the dying (viaticum). God’s word has the capacity to transform our lives. Man is what he eats. Reception of sacraments should enable us to offer our lives for others.
DAILY GOSPEL 