Listen to HIM (SECOND SUNDAY LENT - B)

FEBRUARY 25, 2024 - SUNDAY
Second Sunday of Lent (Violet)
Lectionary: 26
CYCLE B - YEAR II

Reading 1
Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

God put Abraham to the test.
He called to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am!" he replied.
Then God said:
"Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah.
There you shall offer him up as a holocaust
on a height that I will point out to you."
When they came to the place of which God had told him,
Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.
Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.
But the LORD's messenger called to him from heaven,
"Abraham, Abraham!"
"Here I am!" he answered.
"Do not lay your hand on the boy," said the messenger.
"Do not do the least thing to him.
I know now how devoted you are to God,
since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son."
As Abraham looked about,
he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket.
So he went and took the ram
and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son.
Again the LORD's messenger called to Abraham from heaven and said:
"I swear by myself, declares the LORD,
that because you acted as you did
in not withholding from me your beloved son,
I will bless you abundantly
and make your descendants as countless
as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore;
your descendants shall take possession
of the gates of their enemies,
and in your descendants all the nations of the earth
shall find blessing—
all this because you obeyed my command."

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19

R. (116:9) I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

I believed, even when I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.

R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.

R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people,
In the courts of the house of the LORD,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.

R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.

Reading 2
Rom 8:31b-34

Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son
but handed him over for us all,
how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
Who will bring a charge against God's chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us, who will condemn?
Christ Jesus it is who died—or, rather, was raised—
who also is at the right hand of God,
who indeed intercedes for us.

Verse Before the Gospel
Cf. Mt 17:5

From the shining cloud the Father's voice is heard:
This is my beloved Son, listen to him.

Gospel
Mk 9:2-10

Jesus took Peter, James, and 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.

REFLECTION:

A listening heart is a heart warmed by the love of God, and taught by his words. The one we listen to is the Son of God, Jesus transfigured in his humanity. Prayer is better described as listening than speaking. Spend some time echoing his words, or just listening to the mood of love and peace in prayer. Following Jesus up the mountain for Peter, James and John was a following in love that would be part of their lives in the future. Going up the mountain had its tough moments for the apostles, but the view at the top was worthwhile: the glory of Jesus and the invitation of God. This is the same for us in our discipleship.

In our journey to God, we have peak moments when the ground is holy. Like Peter, we want them to last forever. But Jesus, 'only Jesus', brings us down the mountain and prepares us for the hard times ahead, living on the memory of brief transfigurations. Can I recall any of my peak moments?

PRAYER:

Jesus, you needed this deep experience of transfiguration to strengthen you before your Passion. Life is hard, so help me to believe that like you, I am the beloved of God’ as Saint Paul says (Rom 1:7). This will steady me in times of trial.

Transfiguration Of Jesus

FEBRUARY 18, 2023 SATURDAY

Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

CYCLE A - YEAR I

Lectionary: 340

Reading 1

Heb 11:1-7

Brothers and sisters:

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for

and evidence of things not seen.

Because of it the ancients were well attested.

By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God,

so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.

By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain's.

Through this, he was attested to be righteous,

God bearing witness to his gifts,

and through this, though dead, he still speaks.

By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death,

and he was found no more because God had taken him.

Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God.

But without faith it is impossible to please him,

for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists

and that he rewards those who seek him.

By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen,

with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household.

Through this, he condemned the world

and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 10-11

R. (see 1) I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Every day will I bless you,

and I will praise your name forever and ever.

Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;

his greatness is unsearchable.

R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Generation after generation praises your works

and proclaims your might.

They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty

and tell of your wondrous works.

R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,

and let your faithful ones bless you.

Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom

and speak of your might.

R. I will praise your name for ever, Lord.

Alleluia

Mk 9:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:

This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 9:2-13

Jesus took Peter, James, and 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;

then from the cloud came a voice,

"This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."

Suddenly, looking around, the disciples 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.

Then they asked him,

"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

He told them, "Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things,

yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man

that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt?

But I tell you that Elijah has come

and they did to him whatever they pleased,

as it is written of him."

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

This mountain-top experience brings Jesus into a deep encounter with God’s world. Consolation, courage, strength come to him. He is confirmed in his mission. I am glad for him. For the three disciples there is a spiritual awakening. A veil is lifted for a moment and they feel the touch of the divine. The impact of God is dazzling. They naturally want this to last forever.

Jesus' presence with Moses and Elijah reminds us that Jesus held law and vision in mind. I allow Jesus to draw me into a broader view of the church than that into which I may have settled.

PRAYER:

Lord, as Peter says, it is good for us to be close to you, and life-giving to listen to you, even when you speak of the inevitability of suffering. The focus of my life is meant to be on you, not on myself and my affairs.

Transfiguration Of Jesus

AUGUST 06, 2022, SATURDAY
FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD (White)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 614

Reading I
Dn 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
97:1-2, 5-6, 9

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
2 Pt 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
Mt 17:5c

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;

listen to him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Lk 9:28b-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James

and went up a mountain to pray.

While he was praying his face changed in appearance

and his clothing became dazzling white.

And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,

who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus

that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,

but becoming fully awake,

they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,

“Master, it is good that we are here;

let us make three tents,

one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

But he did not know what he was saying.

While he was still speaking,

a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,

and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.

Then from the cloud came a voice that said,

“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.

They fell silent and did not at that time

tell anyone what they had seen.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

The voice of God calls the disciples to listen. They were in danger of being distracted by what they witnessed and might have missed the meaning that they had to listen closely for. I consider where I might need some more silence in my life, that I may listen closely to the Chosen One.

The appearance of Jesus’ face ‘was changed’. Even his clothing is made radiant. We know that, if we are faithful, we shall be transfigured in Jesus’ glory. As Saint Paul says: ‘Christ in you, your hope of glory’.

PRAYER:

All we do our whole lives long is go from one little piece of holy ground to the next. Lord, give me the strength to keep going in between.

Transfiguration of Jesus (Second Sunday of Lent - C)

MARCH 14, 2022, SUNDAY

Second Sunday of Lent (Violet)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 27

Reading I

Gn 15:5-12, 17-18

The Lord God took Abram outside and said,

“Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can.

Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.”

Abram put his faith in the LORD,

who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.

He then said to him,

“I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans

to give you this land as a possession.”

“O Lord GOD,” he asked,

“how am I to know that I shall possess it?”

He answered him,

“Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat,

a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”

Abram brought him all these, split them in two,

and placed each half opposite the other;

but the birds he did not cut up.

Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses,

but Abram stayed with them.

As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram,

and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him.

When the sun had set and it was dark,

there appeared a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch,

which passed between those pieces.

It was on that occasion that the LORD made a covenant with Abram,

saying: “To your descendants I give this land,

from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, the Euphrates.”

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14.

R. (1a)  The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

   whom should I fear?

The LORD is my life’s refuge;

   of whom should I be afraid?

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call;

   have pity on me, and answer me.

Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Your presence, O LORD, I seek.

   Hide not your face from me;

do not in anger repel your servant.

   You are my helper: cast me not off.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD

   in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD with courage;

   be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Reading II

Phil 3:17—4:1

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters,

and observe those who thus conduct themselves

according to the model you have in us.

For many, as I have often told you

and now tell you even in tears,

conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ.

Their end is destruction.

Their God is their stomach;

their glory is in their “shame.”

Their minds are occupied with earthly things.

But our citizenship is in heaven,

and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

He will change our lowly body

to conform with his glorified body

by the power that enables him also

to bring all things into subjection to himself.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters,

whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,

in this way stand firm in the Lord.

or:

Phil 3:20—4:1

Brothers and sisters:

Our citizenship is in heaven,

and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

He will change our lowly body

to conform with his glorified body

by the power that enables him also

to bring all things into subjection to himself.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters,

whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,

in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

Verse Before the Gospel

Cf. Mt 17:5

From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard:

This is my beloved Son, hear him.

Gospel

Lk 9:28b-36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James

and went up the mountain to pray.

While he was praying his face changed in appearance

and his clothing became dazzling white.

And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,

who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus

that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep,

but becoming fully awake,

they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus,

“Master, it is good that we are here;

let us make three tents,

one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

But he did not know what he was saying.

While he was still speaking,

a cloud came and cast a shadow over them,

and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.

Then from the cloud came a voice that said,

“This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.

They fell silent and did not at that time

tell anyone what they had seen.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’ Jesus was confirmed in his identity and his mission on the mountain, the place of the encounter with God. This took place in the presence of Moses and Elijah, who identified him as the one in whom the promises of the Old Testament are fulfilled, but in an unexpected way, on the Cross. I too try to listen to these words which confirm my faith in Jesus, my saviour, my teacher.

PRAYER:

All we do our whole lives long is go from one little piece of holy ground to the next. Lord, give me the strength to keep going in between.

Transfiguration Of Jesus

FEBRUARY 19, 2022, SATURDAY

Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time (Green)

CYCLE C - YEAR II

Lectionary: 340

Reading I

Jas 3:1-10

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters,

for you realize that we will be judged more strictly,

for we all fall short in many respects.

If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man,

able to bridle the whole body also.

If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us,

we also guide their whole bodies.

It is the same with ships:

even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds,

they are steered by a very small rudder

wherever the pilot’s inclination wishes.

In the same way the tongue is a small member

and yet has great pretensions.

Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze.

The tongue is also a fire.

It exists among our members as a world of malice,

defiling the whole body

and setting the entire course of our lives on fire,

itself set on fire by Gehenna.

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature,

can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species,

but no man can tame the tongue.

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we bless the Lord and Father,

and with it we curse men

who are made in the likeness of God.

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

My brothers and sisters, this need not be so. 

Responsorial Psalm

12:2-3, 4-5, 7-8

R.        (8a)  You will protect us, Lord.

Help, O LORD! for no one now is dutiful;

            faithfulness has vanished from among the children of men.

Everyone speaks falsehood to his neighbor;

            with smooth lips they speak, and double heart.

R.        You will protect us, Lord.

May the LORD destroy all smooth lips,

            every boastful tongue,

Those who say, “We are heroes with our tongues;

            our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”

R.        You will protect us, Lord.

The promises of the LORD are sure,

            like tried silver, freed from dross, sevenfold refined.

You, O LORD, will keep us

            and preserve us always from this generation.

R.        You will protect us, Lord.

Alleluia

See Mk 9:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered:

This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.

R.Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Mk 9:2-13

Jesus took Peter, James, and 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;

then from the cloud came a voice,

“This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”

Suddenly, looking around, the disciples 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.

Then they asked him,

“Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things,

yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man

that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt?

But I tell you that Elijah has come

and they did to him whatever they pleased,

as it is written of him.”

REFLECTION:

This mountain-top experience brings Jesus into a deep encounter with God’s world. Consolation, courage, strength come to him. He is confirmed in his mission. I am glad for him. For the three disciples there is a spiritual awakening. A veil is lifted for a moment and they feel the touch of the divine. The impact of God is dazzling. They naturally want this to last forever.

Jesus' presence with Moses and Elijah reminds us that Jesus held law and vision in mind. I allow Jesus to draw me into a broader view of the church than that into which I may have settled.

PRAYER:

Lord, as Peter says, it is good for us to be close to you, and life-giving to listen to you, even when you speak of the inevitability of suffering. The focus of my life is meant to be on you, not on myself and my affairs.

Transfiguration Of Jesus

August 06, 2021, Friday 
FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD (White)
CYCLE B - YEAR I
Lectionary: 614

Reading I
Dn 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
97:1-2, 5-6, 9

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
2 Pt 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 a 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
Mt 17:5c

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

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.

REFLECTION:

Today is the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord when his three closest friends saw his glory and heard the voice from heaven proclaim him as the beloved son. ‘Listen to him!’ Yet he told them not to tell anybody of what they saw. How mysterious to be in God’s presence and see his glory! I just stay in the scene, dazzled by Jesus’ glory, hearing the voice of the Father inviting me to listen to the Son, and feeling the mystery of being in the cloud.

The three apostles see Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. Like Jesus, they were leaders of their people, leading them to freedom and to the true faith. Yet both had to suffer grievously to fulfill their mission and their presence at the moment of glorification is another indication that Jesus will suffer the same fate. I pray for a trusting faith in God’s providence.

PRAYER:

Jesus saw that there was a time for silence and a time to speak. I ask God to help me to know which is appropriate – and when. I may draw strength from considering how I have been able to show restraint in the past.

Listen to HIM

February 28, 2021, Sunday
Second Sunday of Lent (Violet)
CYCLE B - YEAR I
RDGS: GN 22:1-2. 9. 10-13. 15-18/ PS 116:10. 15. 16-17. 18-19/ ROM 8:31-34
GOSPEL: MK 9:2-10

Jesus took Peter, James, and 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.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

A listening heart is a heart warmed by the love of God, and taught by his words. The one we listen to is the Son of God, Jesus transfigured in his humanity. Prayer is better described as listening than speaking. Spend some time echoing his words, or just listening to the mood of love and peace in prayer. Following Jesus up the mountain for Peter, James and John was a following in love that would be part of their lives in the future. Going up the mountain had its tough moments for the apostles, but the view at the top was worthwhile: the glory of Jesus and the invitation of God. This is the same for us in our discipleship.

In our journey to God, we have peak moments when the ground is holy. Like Peter, we want them to last forever. But Jesus, 'only Jesus', brings us down the mountain and prepares us for the hard times ahead, living on the memory of brief transfigurations. Can I recall any of my peak moments?

PRAYER:

Jesus, you needed this deep experience of transfiguration to strengthen you before your Passion. Life is hard, so help me to believe that like you, I am the beloved of God’ as Saint Paul says (Rom 1:7). This will steady me in times of trial.