Feast of the
Transfiguration of the Lord
Lectionary: 614
Reading 1
As I watched:
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
his throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw:
One like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all
the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Reading II
Beloved:
We did not follow cleverly devised myths
when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father
when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,
“This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven
while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.
You will do well to be attentive to it,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080620.cfm
Meditation: Listen
to My Beloved Son
Are
you prepared to see the glory of the Lord and to share in his glory as well?
The Lord Jesus is eager to share his glory with us! We get a glimpse of this
when some of the disciples see Jesus transfigured in glory on a high mountain.
[In many churches of the east and west this event is celebrated as a major
feast on August 6.] Jesus often went to a lonely place to pray - to seek
solitude and sanctuary away from the crowds. But on this occasion, Jesus' face
became radiant like the sun and his clothing became dazzling white (Matthew 17:
2 and Luke 9:29).
This vision of radiant light and glory is prefigured in the prophecy of Daniel.
In chapter 7 of the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament we see a vision of the
"Son of Man who came with the clouds of heaven" and was presented
before the royal court of heaven and the "Ancient of Days" who is
clothed in a radiant garment "white as snow" (Daniel 7:9,13). The
prophet Daniel foretold that God would send his Anointed One, the Son
of Man who would come on the clouds of heaven to bring God's reign of
glory and righteousness on the earth (see Daniel 7:13-15). Daniel's vision describes
a royal investiture of a human king before God's throne. The Son of Man is
a Messianic title for God's anointed King, the Lord Jesus Christ. The New
Testament word for "Messiah" is "Christ" which literally
means the "Anointed One" or the "Anointed King". God sent
us his Son not to establish an earthly kingdom but to bring us into his
heavenly kingdom - a kingdom ruled by truth, justice, peace, and holiness. The
kingdom of God is the central theme of Jesus' mission. It's the core of his
Gospel message.
The Lord Jesus came to fulfill all that Moses and the prophets spoke
Jesus on three occasions told his disciples that he would undergo suffering and
death on a cross to fulfill the mission the Father gave him. As the time draws
near for Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross, he takes three of his beloved
disciples to the top of a high mountain. Just as Moses and Elijah were led to
the mountain of God to discern their ultimate call and mission, so Jesus now
appears with Moses and Elijah on the highest mountain overlooking the summit of
the promised land. Matthew's Gospel tells us that Jesus was
transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments
became white as light (Matthew 17:2).
Jesus reveals his glory to the apostles and to us
Why did Jesus appear in dazzling light with Moses and Elijah? The book of
Exodus tells us that when Moses had met with God on Mount Sinai the
skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God (Exodus
34:29). Paul the Apostle wrote that the Israelites could not look at
Moses' face because of its brightness (2 Corinthians 3:7). After
Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, had destroyed all the priests and idols
of Baal in the land, he took refuge on the mountain of God at Sinai. There God
showed Elijah his glory in great thunder, whirlwind, and fire, and then spoke
with him in a still quiet voice. God questioned Elijah, "What are you
doing here?" And then directed him to go and fulfill the mission given him
by God. Jesus, likewise, appears in glory with Moses and Elijah, as if to
confirm with them that he, too, is ready to fulfill the mission which the
Father has sent him to accomplish.
Jesus went to the mountain knowing full well what awaited him in Jerusalem -
betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion. Jesus very likely discussed this
momentous decision to go to the cross with Moses and Elijah. God the Father
also spoke with Jesus and gave his approval: This is my beloved Son;
listen to him. The Father glorified his son because he was faithful
and willing to obey him in everything. The cloud which overshadowed Jesus and
his apostles fulfilled the dream of the Jews that when the Messiah came the
cloud of God's presence would fill the temple again (see Exodus 16:10, 19:9,
33:9; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Maccabees 2:8).
Christ's way to glory
The Lord Jesus not only wants us to see his glory - he wants to share this
glory with us. And Jesus shows us the way to the Father's glory - follow me -
obey my words. Take the path I have chosen for you and you will receive the
blessing of my Father's kingdom - your name, too, will be written in heaven.
Jesus fulfilled his mission on Calvary where he died for our sins so that
Paradise and everlasting life would be restored to us. He embraced the cross to
win a crown of glory - a crown that awaits each one of us, if we, too, will
follow in his footsteps.
Origen (185-254 AD), a noted early church bible scholar and teacher, explains
the significance of Jesus' transfiguration for our own lives:
"Do
you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus? Behold with me the Jesus of the
Gospels. Let him be simply apprehended. There he is beheld both "according
to the flesh" and at the same time in his true divinity. He is beheld in
the form of God according to our capacity for knowledge. This is how he was
beheld by those who went up upon the lofty mountain to be apart with him.
Meanwhile those who do not go up the mountain can still behold his works and
hear his words, which are uplifting. It is before those who go up that Jesus is
transfigured, and not to those below. When he is transfigured, his face shines
as the sun, that he may be manifested to the children of light, who have put
off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. They are no longer the
children of darkness or night but have become the children of day. They walk
honestly as in the day. Being manifested, he will shine to them not simply as
the sun but as he is demonstrated to be, the sun of righteousness." (Commentary
on Matthew)
Luke's
Gospel tells us that while Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were
asleep (Luke 9:32)! Upon awakening they discovered Jesus in glory along with
Moses and Elijah. How much do we miss of God's glory and action because we are
asleep spiritually? There are many things which can keep our minds asleep to
the things of God: Mental lethargy and the "unexamined life" can keep
us from thinking things through and facing our doubts and questions. The life
of ease can also hinder us from considering the challenging or disturbing
demands of Christ. Prejudice can make us blind to something new the Lord may
have for us. Even sorrow can be a block until we can see past it to the glory
of God.
We are partakers of his glory
Are you spiritually awake? Peter, James, and John were privileged witnesses of
the glory of Christ. We, too, as disciples of Jesus Christ are called to be
witnesses of his glory. We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory
of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to
another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians
3:18). The Lord wants to reveal his glory to us, his beloved disciples. Do you
seek his presence with faith and reverence?
Lord
Jesus, keep me always alert to you, to your word, your action, and your
constant presence in my life. Let me see your glory.
Daily
Quote from the Early Church Fathers: Listen to Him, by Leo the
Great, 400?-461 A.D.
"A
voice from the cloud said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased; listen to him. I am manifested through his preaching. I am
glorified through his humility. So listen to him without hesitation. He is the
truth and the life. He is my strength and wisdom. "Listen to him"
whom the mysteries of the law foreshadowed, of whom the mouths of the prophets
sang. "Listen to him" who by his blood redeemed the world, who binds
the devil and seizes his vessels, who breaks the debt of sin and the bondage of
iniquity. "Listen to him" who opens the way to heaven and by the pain
of the cross prepares for you the steps of ascent into his kingdom." (excerpt
from Sermon 38,7)
https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2020&date=aug6a
FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, MATTHEW 17:1-9
(Daniel 7:9-10,13-14; Psalm 97; 2 Peter 1:16-19)
KEY VERSE: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" (v. 5).
TO KNOW: Jesus had told his disciples that he would soon face suffering and death, but he said that they would not “taste death” until they saw "the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” (Mt 16:28). Six days later, Jesus summoned his disciples to the mountain to reveal himself as having full authority "in heaven and on earth" (Mt 28:16-18). The mountain was a unique place of God's revelation. Jesus gives his law on a mountain: the Sermon on the Mount; he dies on Mount Calvary, and, he brings three of his disciples to the top of a mountain—and there he is transfigured before them. The appearance of Moses and Elijah alongside Jesus revealed that he is the new liberator and prophet, but also that suffering and glory are not mutually exclusive. On the mountain of the Transfiguration (metamorphosis, a change in outward appearance), Jesus’ face "shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light" (Mt 17:2). Thus the disciples experienced a glimpse of Jesus’ Lordship as it would be fully manifest at the coming of the kingdom. Peter saw this moment as a sign of the Messianic age. He asked that tents be erected, such as those in which their ancestors dwelled during their journey to the Promised Land (Lv 23:39-42). While Peter was still speaking, the divine presence overshadowed them, declaring Jesus as God's "beloved Son." To him alone must they listen (Dt 18:15).
TO LOVE: How have I been transformed by my experiences of Jesus?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to see you in all your appearances in my life.
http://www.togetherwithgodsword.com/commentaries-on-the-daily-gospel-of-the-mass.html
Thursday 6 August 2020
The Transfiguration of the Lord
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14. The Lord is king, the most high over all
the earth – Psalm 96(97):1-2, 5-6, 9. 2 Peter 1:16-19. Matthew 17:1-9.
His face shone like the sun
We might recognise in Peter’s idea of building a dwelling for
Jesus, Moses and Elijah an urgent wish to be useful and practical in an
uncertain, unfamiliar situation. The desire for safety, comfort and normality
can emerge strongly in us when circumstances seem to be opposite. We draw on
what we know, what we’re good at, because frankly not many of us are at ease
with ambiguity or inexplicable events.
Peter knows and loves Jesus as teacher, as storyteller, a good
companion to walk and talk with up a mountain. Suddenly here is Jesus
transformed – transfigured. An extraordinary and beautiful vision, yet
terrifying. What can Peter do about it? When we walk in the footsteps of Peter,
we witness his experience of the familiar become extraordinary. What is this
moment on the mountain for us? How are we asked to respond?
http://www.pray.com.au/gospel_reflection/thursday-6-august-2020/
Transfiguration of the Lord
Saint of the Day for August 6
Stained glass window, Mielno, Poland | photo by Tineau
The Story of the Transfiguration of the Lord
All three Synoptic Gospels tell the story of the Transfiguration
(Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9:28-36). With remarkable agreement, all
three place the event shortly after Peter’s confession of faith that Jesus is
the Messiah and Jesus’ first prediction of his passion and death. Peter’s
eagerness to erect tents or booths on the spot suggests it occurred during the
week-long Jewish Feast of Booths in the fall.
According to Scripture scholars, in spite of the texts’
agreement it is difficult to reconstruct the disciples’ experience, because the
Gospels draw heavily on Old Testament descriptions of the Sinai encounter with
God, and prophetic visions of the Son of Man. Certainly Peter, James, and John
had a glimpse of Jesus’ divinity strong enough to strike fear into their
hearts. Such an experience defies description, so they drew on familiar
religious language to describe it. And certainly Jesus warned them that his
glory and his suffering were to be inextricably connected—a theme John
highlights throughout his Gospel.
Tradition names Mount Tabor as the site of the revelation. A
church first raised there in the fourth century was dedicated on August 6. A
feast in honor of the Transfiguration was celebrated in the Eastern Church from
about that time. Western observance began in some localities about the eighth
century.
On July 22, 1456, Crusaders defeated the Turks at Belgrade. News
of the victory reached Rome on August 6, and Pope Callistus III placed the
feast on the Roman calendar the following year.
Reflection
One of the Transfiguration accounts is read on the second Sunday
of Lent each year, proclaiming Christ’s divinity to the Elect and baptized
alike. The Gospel for the first Sunday of Lent, by contrast, is the story of
the temptation in the desert—affirmation of Jesus’ humanity. The two distinct
but inseparable natures of the Lord were a subject of much theological argument
at the beginning of the Church’s history; it remains hard for believers to
grasp.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/transfiguration-of-the-lord/
Lectio Divina:The Transfiguration of the Lord (A)
Lectio Divina
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Ordinary Time
1) Opening prayer
Father of everlasting goodness,
our origin and guide,
be close to us
and hear the prayers of all who praise You.
Forgive our sins and restore us to life.
Keep us safe in Your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 17:1-9
Jesus took with Him Peter and James and his brother John and led
them up a high mountain by themselves. There in their presence He was
transfigured: His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as dazzling as
light. And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with
Him.
Then Peter spoke to Jesus. 'Lord,' he said, 'it is wonderful for us to be here;
if You want me to, I will make three shelters here, one for You, one for Moses
and one for Elijah.' He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered
them with shadow, and suddenly from the cloud there came a voice which said,
'This is My Son, the Beloved; He enjoys My favor. Listen to Him.'
When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear.
But Jesus came up and touched them, saying, 'Stand up, do not be afraid.' And
when they raised their eyes they saw no one but Jesus. As they came down from
the mountain Jesus gave them this order, 'Tell no one about this vision until
the Son of man has risen from the dead.'
3) Reflection
• Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus. The
Transfiguration takes place after the first announcement of the Death of Jesus
(Mt 16:21). This announcement disturbs the head of the Disciples, especially
Peter (Mt 16:22-23). They were living among the poor, but the head was lost in
the dominating ideology of that time. They were expecting a glorious Messiah.
The cross was an impediment to believing in Jesus. The Transfiguration, where
Jesus appears glorious on the top of the mountain, was for them a help to
overcome the trauma of the Cross and to discover the true Messiah in Jesus. But
even with this, many years afterwards, when the Good News was already diffused
in Asia Minor and in Greece, the Cross continued to be for the Jews and for the
Gentiles a great impediment to accepting Jesus as Messiah. “The Cross is
foolishness and scandal!” as it was said (1Cor 1:23). One of the greatest
efforts of the first Christians was to help people to become aware that the
cross was not a scandal, nor foolishness, but rather the most beautiful and
strongest expression of the wisdom of God (1Cor 1:22-31). Today’s Gospel
contributes to this effort. It shows that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy and that
the Cross was the way to Glory. There is no other way.
• Matthew 17:1-3: Jesus changes appearance. Jesus goes up to
the top of the mountain. Luke adds that He goes there to pray (Lk 9:28). There,
on the top of the mountain, Jesus appears in glory, before Peter, James and
John. Together with Jesus Moses and Elijah also appear. The high mountain
evokes Mount Sinai, where, in the past, God had manifested His will to the
people, giving them the Tablets of the Law. The white clothes recall Moses who
was radiant with light when he was speaking with God on the Mountain and
received the Law from God, (Ex 34:29-35). Elijah and Moses, the two maximum
authorities of the Old Testament, speak with Jesus. Moses represents the Law;
Elijah, the prophecy. Luke tells us that the conversation was on the “Exodus”
(the death) of Jesus in Jerusalem (Lk 9:31). Thus, it is clear that the Old
Testament, that is the Law as well as the Prophets, already taught that for the
Messiah, the way to Glory had to go through the Cross. There is no other way.
• Matthew 17: 4: It pleases Peter, but he does not understand. It
pleases Peter and he wants to freeze that pleasant moment on the Mountain. He
offers to build three tents. Mark says that Peter was afraid, and did not know
what he was saying (Mk 9:6), and Luke adds that the Disciples were sleepy (Lk
9:32). They were like us: it is difficult for them to understand the Cross!
• Matthew 17:5-8: The voice from Heaven clarifies the facts. When
Jesus is enveloped by the glory, there was a voice from Heaven which said, “This
is My Son, the Beloved, He enjoys My favor. Listen to Him”. The
expression “Beloved son” evokes the person of the Messiah Servant, announced by
the Prophet Isaiah (cf. Isa 42:1). The expression “Listen to Him” evokes
the prophecy which promised the coming of a new Moses (cf. Deut 18:15). In
Jesus the prophecies of the Old Testament are being fulfilled, the disciples
can no longer doubt. Jesus is truly the glorious Messiah and
the way to arrive at the glory passes through the cross, according to
everything announced in the prophecy of the Messiah Servant (Isa 53:3-9). The
glory of the Transfiguration proves this. Moses and Elijah confirm it. The
Father guarantees it. Jesus accepts it. Before everything which was taking
place the Disciples were afraid and fell on their faces. Jesus gets close to
them, touches them and says: “Stand up, do not be afraid”. The
Disciples raised their eyes and saw only Jesus and nobody else. From now on,
Jesus is the only revelation of God for us! Jesus, and He alone, is the key
to understanding Scripture and Life.
• Matthew 17:9: To know how to keep silence. Jesus asks the
disciples to tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from
the dead. Mark says that they did not know what it meant to rise from the dead
(Mk 9:10). In fact, the one who does not join suffering to the resurrection
will not understand the significance of the Cross. The Cross of Jesus is the
proof that life is stronger than death. The full understanding of the following
of Jesus is not attained by theoretical instruction, but by practical
commitment, walking with Him along the road of service, from Galilee
until Jerusalem.
4) Personal questions
• Has your faith in Jesus given you some moment of
transfiguration and of profound joy? How have these moments of joy given you
strength in difficult moments?
• Today, how can you transfigure both your personal and your family life, and
the community life of your neighborhood?
5) Concluding Prayer
The mountains melt like wax,
before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim His saving justice,
all nations see His glory. (Ps 97:5-6)
https://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divinathe-transfiguration-lord
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