THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD JESUS
First Reading: Genesis 12: 1-4
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1: 8-10
Gospel Reading: Matthew 17: 1-9
*Today's first reading is from the book of Genesis. The life of Abraham, the father of faith is described. Something dramatic and very personal happens in the life of Abraham. He is asked by the Lord God to leave his familiar world: his father's house, his clan , his country as well and go to a distant land. All through his journey Abraham is convinced that the promises of the Lord God will find its fulfillment. In spite of many hardships and challenges, he totally trusts in the Lord God. He earnestly believes that the Lord God will make him a great nation and He will bless him and he in turn, would be a blessing to others. By his trust in the Lord God, Abraham becomes a blessing to many.
*Today's second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul encourages Timothy and asks him not to be ashamed of testifying to the Lord Jesus. He instructs Timothy and us to share the holiness and the glory of Jesus. That enables us to face sufferings which the faithfulness to the Gospel brings.
The transfiguration of the Lord Jesus on Mount Tabor Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. A graphic description about the transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor is given. Jesus with three of His beloved disciples climbs the mountain and on top of the mountain, He is transfigured. He is covered with heavenly glory. The disciples are awe-struck and overwhelmed by this heavenly experience. The presence of Moses and Elijah - two towering figures of the Old Testament - is a sign that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that has been foretold in the past. Jesus' momentary change of bodily appearance and the voice from heaven confirms that Jesus is truly the chosen one, the Son of God. The transfiguration event is both comforting and challenging to us. It is comforting because we know that our Lord and Savior Jesus is truly the Son of God and beloved of the heavenly Father. It is challenging because the Father invites us to His Son and asks us to follow His teachings and be witnesses to Him in our lives. If we faithfully follow Him, we too will one day experience His heavenly glory.
"At His transfiguration Christ showed His disciples the splendor of His beauty, to which He will shape and colour those who are His." - St. Thomas Aquinas
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