First Reading: Daniel 7: 9-10 and 13-14
Second Reading: 2 Peter 1: 15-19
Gospel Reading : Matthew 17: 1-9
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Daniel. This passage has description about the various visions of Daniel. It speaks about the throne of God where one like the Son of man is being presented to God the Father - the ancient of days. All authority in heaven and earth is given to Him. This vision gives a glimpse about the transfigured Christ.
*Second reading is from the second letter of St. Peter. In this passage Peter speaks about his own experience of transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. He was an eye witness to the fact that God the Father bestowed on Jesus the title 'My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'. On the holy mountain Peter had that wonderful experience of being a witness to the heavenly glory of the Lord Jesus.
"My beloved Son. Listen to Him"
Today's Gospel reading is from st. Matthew. In this passage the transfiguration of Jesus on mount Tabor is described in great details. No doubt transfiguration of Jesus was the high point of the public ministry of Jesus. In front of three of His beloved disciples - Peter, James and John - He was transfigured. Moses and Elijah two great prophets of the Old testament were also present. Heavenly Father publicly and unequivocally proclaimed that Jesus is His beloved Son. The three disciples cherished those privileged and wonderful moments of glory of Jesus on the mountain. They were so spell bound that they could not adequately understand the depth of the experience or explain it in words.
Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain was to strengthen the faith of the disciples for the impending crucifixion and death of Jesus. Jesus did not remain in those glorious moments of the mountain but came down from the mountain to go to Jerusalem to be rejected and to die.
The transfiguration experience is narrated in the Gospel so that we too may experience it to a limited extent and our faith too may be strengthened in the Lord Jesus.
"It is indeed good to be here as you have said, Peter. It is good to be with Jesus and to remain here for ever." - Bishop Anastasius of Sinai.
No comments:
Post a Comment