Daily Readings - Fri Aug 06 2021
First Reading - Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14 or 2 Peter 1.16-19
Daniel
9I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.10A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
2 Peter
16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Mark
2And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.3And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.4And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.5And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.6For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.7And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.8And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.9And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.10And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound visions of divine authority and transformation. The first reading from Daniel presents a majestic scene of God's throne, where the Ancient of Days presides over a celestial court. This vision underscores God's eternal sovereignty and the ultimate triumph of righteousness. The Gospel from Mark recounts the Transfiguration of Jesus, where His divine glory is unveiled before Peter, James, and John. This moment not only confirms Jesus' identity as the Son of God but also strengthens the disciples' faith as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
These passages are deeply connected, as both point to the revelation of God's glory and the ultimate dominion of the Messiah. In Daniel, the vision prepares the people for the coming of a divine ruler who will reign forever. In Mark, the Transfiguration is a fulfillment of that promise, as Jesus, the Son of Man, is revealed in His glory. Together, they remind us that God's plan unfolds in His time, and His kingdom will endure forever.
As we reflect on these readings, let us draw strength from the knowledge that we are part of a larger story. In moments of uncertainty, may we trust in God's eternal plan and listen to the voice of Jesus, who calls us to follow Him. Let us strive to live as disciples who, like Peter, James, and John, are transformed by the encounter with Christ and committed to His mission. May we find hope in the promise of God's kingdom, where love and justice will reign supreme.