Daily Readings - Sun Mar 05 2023

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

2 Timothy

Chapter 1

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

Matthew

Chapter 17

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.