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Daily Readings

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

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Today's Mass Readings
First Reading

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

As I watched:

Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
his throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened and the books were opened.

As the visions during the night continued, I saw:

One like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
 

Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

Verse: The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.

Response: The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

Verse: The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.

Response: The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

Verse: Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods. 

Response: The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

Second Reading

2 Peter 1:16-19

Beloved:
We did not follow cleverly devised myths
when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father
when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,
“This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven
while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.
You will do well to be attentive to it,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 
 

Thanks be to God

Gospel Acclamation
Matthew 17:5
Alleluia, alleluia.

Verse: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.

Response: Alleluia, alleluia.

The Holy Gospel

Matthew 17:1-9

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.”
 

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

ReflectionReflection Guide

Imagine what Peter, James, and John must have felt on that mountain. They had walked with Jesus, listened to His teachings, and witnessed many miracles, but nothing could have prepared them for what they were about to see. There was probably astonishment, joy, fear, confusion, and a deep sense of wonder. Suddenly, the ordinary teacher they had been following revealed His divine glory before their very eyes.

Peter's reaction gives us a glimpse of what was happening in their hearts. He immediately suggested building three tents because he did not want the moment to end. Who could blame him? We all have moments in life that we wish could last forever: a retreat, a family celebration, an answered prayer, a healing, or a profound encounter with God. Yet Jesus did not allow the disciples to remain on the mountain.

Perhaps James, Peter, and John came down from that mountain with greater courage, deeper faith, and a clearer understanding of who Jesus truly was. The experience did not remove the trials that lay ahead, but it prepared them for them. In the same way, God sometimes grants us moments of peace, joy, and clarity, not so that we will remain there forever, but so that we will have the strength to continue the journey.

A short prayer

Lord, when fear, doubt, and uncertainty fill my heart, remind me of the moments when I clearly experienced Your presence in my life. Help me to carry the light of those memories into the valleys and storms that I encounter each day. Teach me to keep listening to Your voice and to trust that You are always walking beside me. Amen.