Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A (August 6, 2017): Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Thứ Bảy, 05-08-2017 | 16:58:56

Today’s Readings:

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
2 Peter 1:16-19
Matthew 17:1-9
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080617.cfm

USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/17_08_06.mp3


A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

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.”


Good News Reflection: The Transfiguration of the Lord is within you

Atop Mount Tabor in Israel is where the pure light of Christ — the uncreated light of his true identity — was first revealed to the world. Not at his birth, not at his baptism, nor as he preached and healed. Although the Light of the World came to us in those momentous events, it was not revealed so clearly, so powerfully, so dramatically as when he let Peter, John, and James witness it on the mountaintop, as seen in today’s Gospel passage.

The highest experience of faith was, and still is what happens when the Father says, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” The transfiguration of Christ occurs again and again every time we listen to him and our faith is enlightened. It happens every time we have a breakthrough from blindness to understanding, from sinfulness to holiness, from doubt to trust. However, now we are transfigured with Jesus!

Whenever we let his uncreated light consume the darkness within us, the people around us see Christ’s true identity in us. We shine with him. Therefore, it’s vitally important that we give Jesus the areas of darkness that still linger within us and let him expose the truth in his light. By repenting (which means we change), we’re transformed into our true identity. What is our true identity? It’s our innermost being that was created in the image of God. It’s our sainthood!

Listen. Can you hear God’s voice saying about you what he said about Jesus on Mount Tabor? “This is my beloved child; listen to him/her.” He is saying this to others as you do the work to which he’s called you. Some folks will hear him, some won’t, but our yes to his calling is not based on how many people will heed his voice. We serve God because we have been transfigured. Our holiness impels us to go where we can do the greatest good.

Questions for Personal Reflection:
What sins do you still try to hide or deny? Why are you afraid to let Jesus shine his light into these areas of darkness? Are you afraid he’ll stop loving you? What do you do that reveals your sainthood?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:
Describe a time when you listened to Jesus and the truth you learned from him transformed you. How did it help you become a true child of God more fully? How did it reveal your true identity more accurately?

Today’s Prayer:

Dear Father, thank You because I am Your Beloved Son! Thank You for taking care of me as Your great treasure! May this truth take deep root within me so that all my life reflects Your great love for me. Amen.

© 2017 by Terry A. Modica

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