DAILY- HOMILY

August 6, 2017 – 18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY - TRANSFIGURATION

SUNDAY

TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD

Feast, White

Dn 7:9 -10.13-14 / 2 Pt 1: 16-19 / Mt 17: 1-9

     This feast became widespread in the West in the eleventh century and was introduced into the Roman calendar in 1457 to commemorate victory over Islam in Belgrade. Before that, the Transfiguration of the Lord was celebrated in the Syrian, Byzantine and Coptic rites.

FROM THE FIRST READING:          Dn 7: 13 - 14

     I continued watching the nocturnal vision. One like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven. He faced the One of Great Age and was brought into his presence. Dominion, honor and kingship were given to him, and all peoples and nations of every language served him. His dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; his kingdom will never be destroyed.

2nd Reading:      2 Pt 1:16 -19

     Indeed, what we taught you about the power and the return of Christ Jesus our Lord was not drawn from myths or formulated theories. We ourselves were eyewitnesses of his majesty, when he received glory and honor from God the Father, when from the magnificent Glory this 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.

GOSPEL READING:           Mt 17: 1 - 9

     Six days later Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they were alone. Jesus' appearance was changed before them: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became bright as light. Just then Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking to Jesus.

     Peter spoke and said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here. If you so wish, I will make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

     Peter was still speaking when a bright cloud covered them in its shadow, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, my Chosen One. Listen to him."

     On hearing the voice, the disciples fell to the ground, full of fear. But Jesus came, touched them and said "Stand up. Do not be afraid." When they raised their eyes, they no longer saw anyone except Jesus. And as they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had just seen, until the Son of Man be raised from the dead.

REFLECTION

     All three Synoptic Gospels had accounts of the transfiguration of the Lord. Interesting that Matthew and Mark specify that the transfiguration happened six days later after Peter's confession of faith while Luke specifies that it happened "about eight days" later. It is also clear that the transfiguration happened before Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem to endure his passion and death.

     The transfiguration foreshadowed his future glory in the resurrection and is a confirmation of the Father's fidelity to the Son. The transfiguration was also a very special experience to strengthen and confirm the faith of Peter and his companions in their profession that Jesus was "the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

     At the transfiguration, as at his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, we hear the Father's voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved, my Chosen One. Listen to him." At his baptism "the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God come down like a dove and rest upon him." (Mt 3: 16) At the transfiguration God's presence came "as when a bright cloud covered them in its shadow." The Father's words were words of assurance to Jesus to persevere in the task the Father had given to him.

     We pray that, as we celebrate the Lord's transfiguration, we too may be "transfigured" in various ways in our faith in Jesus. May the Father's words likewise assure us of God's presence and fidelity, especially in difficult and trying times in our lives. May the transfiguration be for us, as with the three apostles privileged to be there, a confirmation and strengthening of our faith and hope in the resurrection.

WE PRAY FOR MTQ DAILY PRAYER INTENTIONS:

BIRTHDAY

     ALBERT REYES

     ELEANOR ONG

THANKSGIVING

     PETER & MARY NG

IN MEMORIAM (†)

     WONG CHU KING

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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