Friday, August 05, 2016

 

Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome

05 August 2016   
Friday,18th Week  in Ordinary Time 
Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome 
Green.        

Na 2:1, 3;3:1 - 3, 6 – 7 / Mt 16:24 – 28

The divine motherhood of Mary was defined at the Council of Ephesus in 431.  Pope St. Sixtus III (Pope from 432 – 440) dedicated this basilica in honor of the Mother of God.

From the 1st Reading: Na 3:6 – 7
I will pelt you with filth, I will treat you with contempt, and make of you a shameful show, so that all who look on you will turn their backs in disgust and say: Nineveh – a city of lust – is in ruins, Who will mourn for her? Where can we find one to comfort her?
    
Gospel Reading: Mt 16: 24 - 28
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me. For whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life for my sake will find it. What will one gain by winning the whole world if he destroys himself? There is nothing you can give to recover your own self.

"Know that the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels, and he will reward each one according to his deeds. Truly, I tell you, there are some here who will not die before they see the Son of Man coming as king."

Reflection
In the first reading, the prophet Nahum describes the fall of Nineveh, a great Assyrian city.  Nineveh was known not only for its idolatrous religious practices but also for its ruthlessness towards other nations.  We also live in ruthless times where the strong step on the weak, and corruption is the order of the day.  Furthermore, many people worship money, sex, adultery, infidelity, prostitution, etc.  We must ask God to save us from these bad influences and to strengthen our resolve to be witnesses of Christ in the world.

In the Gospel reading, we are told that if we want to follow Jesus, we must carry our crosses.  One cannot follow Jesus and follow the ways of the world at the same time.  We are called to strip ourselves of our worldly desires. To carry one's cross also means to accept sufferings and problems which come our way.  We are often tempted to throw away our crosses and take the easy way out. So how then can we carry our crosses?  With the Lord's help and our willingness to walk in his footsteps. We must trust Jesus and believe that the cross is the best way to glorify God in our lives. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  We must believe that he has already conquered the world for us.  This gives us courage to do his will in our lives.    

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Transfiguration of the Lord

06 August 2016
Saturday,18th Week  in Ordinary Time 
Transfiguration of the Lord  
Feast.    White.     

Dn 7: 9-10, 13-14 / 2 Pt 1:16 – 19 / Lk 9:28b – 36

From the 1st Reading: Dn 7:  13 - 14   
I continued watching the nocturnal vision:  One like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven. . . .  Dominion, honor and kingship were given to him, and all the peoples and nations of every language served him. His dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; his kingdom will never be destroyed.  

From the 2nd Reading: 2 Pt 1:16b - 17 
We ourselves were eyewitnesses of his majesty, when he received glory and honor from God the Father, when from the magnificent Glory this most extraordinary word came upon him: "This is my beloved Son, this is my Chosen One." 

From the Gospel Reading: Lk 9:28b – 36a   
About eight days after Jesus had said all this, he took Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray.  And while he was praying, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became dazzling white. Two men were talking with Jesus: Moses and Elijah.  They just appeared in heavenly glory and were telling him about his departure that had to take place in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had fallen asleep, but they awoke suddenly and saw Jesus' Glory and the two men standing with him.  As Moses and Elijah were about to leave, Peter said to him, "Master, how good it is for us to be here for we can make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." For Peter did not know what to say. And no sooner had he spoken than a cloud appeared and covered them; and the disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud.  Then these words came from the cloud, "This is my beloved Son, my Chosen One, listen to him."  And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was there alone.

Reflection
The transfiguration of Jesus was a unique happening in the Gospels.  In the second reading, Peter speaks of it as a truly special privileged moment: "We ourselves were eyewitnesses of his majesty, when he received glory and honor from God the Father, when from the magnificent Glory this most extraordinary word came upon him: 'This is my beloved Son, this is my Chosen One.'  We ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain."

The transfiguration is recounted in all three Synoptic Gospels. In all three accounts the profession of faith of Peter on behalf of the apostles, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Mt 16: 17) is followed by Jesus predicting his passion, death and resurrection, "the Son of Man had to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. He would be killed and after three days rise again." (Mk 8: 31)
 
In all three versions, the transfiguration follows Peter's profession of faith and Jesus' first prediction of his death and resurrection and the evangelists even specify when it happened, something very unusual in the Gospels:  "Six days later" (Mt 17: 1 and Mk 9:2) and "about eight days after Jesus had said this." (Lk 28: 1)

The profession of faith of Peter towards the middle of the public ministry of Jesus is seen as a climax in his apostolic ministry and training of his disciples. After that they were ready to be told of his impending seeming defeat and death: "the disciples, however, did not understand what "to rise from the dead could mean."  (Mk 9: 10) The transfiguration then is seen as a confirmation of Peter's profession of faith and a support and assurance to the apostles at his death.

The first reading from Daniel confirms for all the role and status of Jesus as Lord and Master of the universe.

May this triptych of events in the Lord's life strengthen and confirm out faith.  Like Peter, let us have joy and hope, "Master, it is good that we are here." And let us always live according to the message from the Father, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him."

OTHER INTENTIONS:
For the special intentions of Linda Yombi Chitwamali

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