Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 5, 2023
First Reading: Genesis 12.1-4
1Then the Lord said to Abram: "Depart from your land, and from your kindred, and from your father’s house, and come into the land that I will show you2And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and magnify your name, and you will be blessed3I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you, and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.4And so Abram departed just as the Lord had instructed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran
Psalm 33
1A Psalm of David. Exult in the Lord, you just ones; together praise the upright2Confess to the Lord with stringed instruments; sing psalms to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings3Sing to him a new song. Sing psalms to him skillfully, with loud exclamation4For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his works are in faith5He loves mercy and judgment. The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord6By the word of the Lord, the heavens were established, and all their power, by the Spirit of his mouth7gathering together the waters of the sea, as if in a container, placing the depths in storage8Let all the earth fear the Lord, and may all the inhabitants of the world quake before him9For he spoke, and they became. He commanded, and they were created10The Lord scatters the counsels of the nations. Moreover, he reproves the thoughts of the people, and he rejects the counsels of the leaders11But the counsel of the Lord remains for eternity, the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation12Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his inheritance13The Lord has looked down from heaven. He has seen all the sons of men14From his well-prepared dwelling place, he has gazed upon all who dwell on the earth15He has formed the hearts of each one of them; he understands all their works16The king is not saved by great power, nor will the giant be saved by his many powers17The horse is false safety; for he will not be saved by the abundance of his powers18Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him and on those who hope in his mercy19so as to rescue their souls from death and to feed them during famine20Our soul remains with the Lord. For he is our helper and protector21For in him, our heart will rejoice, and in his holy name, we have hoped22Let your mercy be upon us, O Lord, just as we have hoped in you
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1.8b-10
8And so, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner. Instead, collaborate with the Gospel in accord with the virtue of God9who has freed us and has called us to his holy vocation, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus, before the ages of time10And this has now been made manifest by the illumination of our Savior Jesus Christ, who certainly has destroyed death, and who has also illuminated life and incorruption through the Gospel
Gospel: Matthew 17.1-9
1And after six days, Jesus took Peter and James and his brother John, and he led them onto a lofty mountain separately2And he was transfigured before them. And his face shined brightly like the sun. And his garments were made white like snow3And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, speaking with him4And Peter responded by saying to Jesus: "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you are willing, let us make three tabernacles here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.5And while he was still speaking, behold, a shining cloud overshadowed them. And behold, there was a voice from the cloud, saying: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.6And the disciples, hearing this, fell prone on their face, and they were very afraid7And Jesus drew near and touched them. And he said to them, "Rise up and do not be afraid.8And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone9And as they were descending from the mountain, Jesus instructed them, saying, "Tell no one about the vision, until the Son of man has risen from the dead.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, faith, and God's transformative grace.
The first reading from Genesis recounts the call of Abram, a man who, at the age of seventy-five, is summoned by God to leave behind the familiar—his land, his kindred, and his father’s house. Abram’s response is one of unwavering faith; he departs as the Lord instructs, trusting in the promise of a future he cannot yet see. This act of obedience is a testament to the enduring power of faith, reminding us that God often calls us to step into the unknown, trusting that His plan is greater than our own understanding.
The second reading from 2 Timothy encourages us to embrace the Gospel with courage and conviction. St. Paul reminds us that our faith is not rooted in our own works but in the gratuitous gift of God’s grace, which has been revealed in Christ Jesus. This passage invites us to reflect on the transformative power of God’s grace in our lives, a grace that calls us to live with purpose and hope, even in the face of challenges.
In the Gospel, we witness the Transfiguration of Jesus, a moment of profound revelation for Peter, James, and John. On the mountain, Jesus’ divine glory is unveiled, and the disciples are given a glimpse of His true nature. The presence of Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets, underscores the fulfillment of God’s plan in Jesus. The voice from the cloud, affirming Jesus as the beloved Son, reminds us to listen to Him and to trust in His Word. This moment of transcendence is not an escape from the world but a source of strength to face the journey ahead, including the cross.
These readings invite us to reflect on our own journey of faith. Like Abram, we are called to trust in God’s promises, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Like the disciples, we are invited to listen to Jesus and to find our strength in His presence. And like St. Paul, we are reminded that our faith is a gift of grace, empowering us to live with courage and purpose.
As we navigate the challenges of our daily lives, may we draw inspiration from these readings. May we trust in God’s plan, embrace His grace, and listen to His voice, knowing that He is always with us, guiding us on our journey. Let us, like Abram, step out in faith; like the disciples, seek to listen to Jesus; and like St. Paul, embrace the transformative power of the Gospel in our lives.