Transfiguration 2020

The WORD today reminds me of God's great glory. 

As we celebrate the Feast the Transfiguration, I am reminded of God's great glory, and the readings beautifully illustrate it. 

In the first reading, we see how human words describe God’s power, glory and dominion. Such an amazing sight to see. We could only imagine how great and majestic it really was. This shows how great and powerful God is, and how powerful Jesus, the Son of Man is, receiving dominion, glory and kingship from God.

The second reading is Peter’s testament of what happened in the gospel. In the gospel, we see an account of Jesus’ transfiguration.Jesus chose to reveal a glimpse of his glory to three of his closest friends, the big three of the apostles – Peter, James and John. They saw Jesus transfigured, and saw Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets respectively, with him. What an amazing sight it must have been. Then to cap it off, they heard God’s voice – “This is my chosen Son, listen to Him.”  Probably they were thinking that Wow! this Jesus is indeed the real thing. 

We see how great and powerful God is. We see how anointed and glorious Jesus is. This should lead us to remember and be thankful to Jesus and God. God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to be separated with him in his glory and become one like us. How special we really are!

However, this should not end here. Knowing how great God is, knowing how glorious Jesus is, is not enough. Just as we excitingly share news of great leaders in our lives, we too should share God to others. In the latter part of the gospel, the three wanted to build tents and stay in the mountain. Of course, it was such a glorious sight, a spiritually high moment. But Jesus said no. Jesus asked them to come down the mountain. What does it tell us? Just as Jesus told the three to go down, we too should go back to reality. We should go back into the world and live the gospel. Preach the gospel. Share God to others. It is not enough that we know and experience how great God is. We should also go back and proclaim him to other people. That’s the challenge. That’s the work we need to do.

Do I believe God is really all powerful, all glorious? Do I know and appreciate how much God loves me? When do I experience God in a special way? Am I willing to go back to reality and work to proclaim his greatness? Where is he calling me to preach? How?

May we always remember how great and powerful God is, and may it lead us to share him to others.

Father God,

Thank you today. thank you for giving me another day to live and to serve you. Thank you for reminding me of how great the God I am serving. Lord, help me respond to your call. Alam ko mahirap, minsan gusto ko nalang magdasal mag isa, or masaya na ako sa experience ko sa iyo, or I just want to live right and not care about others. Sorry for not wanting and willing to share you to others. Sorry for the times I forget how amazing you are. But Lord, I know you want me to act. I know you want me to move. I know you want me to make disciples for you. So I ask you Lord to give me faith to step out of my comfort zone and do what you want, so I can do my part in building your kingdom. Help me proclaim you in my life. Amen.

Blessed Day!

In Christ,

-g-

August 06, 2020

The Transfiguration of the Lord - Feast

FIRST READING

Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14

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

Psalm 97:1–2, 5–6, 9 (1a, 9a)

R. 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, 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.

SECOND READING

2 Peter 1:16–19

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

Matthew 17:5c

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL

Matthew 17:1–9

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.”