Daily Readings - Sun Aug 06 2017
2 Peter
16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.17For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,"18we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.19And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
Matthew
1And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.3And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.4And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."5He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."6When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear."8And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.9And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful moments of divine revelation. The Second Reading from 2 Peter reminds us that the apostles were not spreading fanciful stories but were eyewitnesses to the majesty of Christ. They heard the voice of God the Father on the holy mountain, affirming Jesus as His beloved Son. This experience solidified their faith and underscores the reliability of their testimony. The Gospel from Matthew recounts the Transfiguration, where Jesus, accompanied by Moses and Elijah, is glorified before Peter, James, and John. The voice from the cloud reiterates God’s pleasure in Jesus, instructing the disciples to listen to Him. This event not only confirmed Jesus’ divine identity but also prepared the disciples for the trials ahead.
The context of these readings is crucial. Peter’s letter was likely written during a time of challenge for the early Church, emphasizing the trustworthiness of their eyewitness accounts. The Transfiguration in Matthew follows Peter’s confession of faith, reinforcing Jesus’ true identity. Both readings highlight the authority of Jesus, with Peter’s letter serving as a testament to the divine message and the Gospel illustrating God’s direct endorsement.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God’s revelation and remain open to His presence. Just as the disciples were transformed by their experience, we too can encounter God in moments of prayer and reflection. The moral lesson here is the importance of listening to Jesus and trusting in His divine plan, even amidst uncertainty. Let us seek to hear His voice and allow His light to guide us, trusting in His presence and plan for our lives.