Daily Readings - Sat Aug 06 2022
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:
Luke
28And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.29And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.30And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:31Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.32But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.33And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto 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: not knowing what he said.34While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.35And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.36And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound visions of divine authority and revelation. The first reading from Daniel presents a majestic vision of the Ancient of Days, seated on a throne with a river of fire, surrounded by countless attendants. This imagery underscores God's eternal sovereignty and the advent of the Messiah, described as "one like a son of man," who is granted an everlasting kingdom. This vision, rooted in Daniel's prophetic context, foreshadows the Messiah's eternal reign, offering hope and assurance of God's ultimate triumph.
The Gospel reading from Luke recounts the Transfiguration of Jesus, a pivotal moment where His divine glory is unveiled to Peter, James, and John. While praying, Jesus' appearance transforms, and He is joined by Moses and Elijah, symbolizing the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The voice from the cloud affirms Jesus as the beloved Son, instructing the disciples to listen to Him. This event, occurring midway through Luke's narrative, reinforces Jesus' divine identity and mission, preparing the disciples for the challenges ahead, including His passion.
These readings, though separated by time, are intricately connected. Daniel's vision of the Messiah's eternal kingdom finds its fulfillment in Jesus, whose Transfiguration reveals His divine authority. Both narratives invite us to trust in God's plan and recognize Jesus' central role in our lives. In our daily struggles, they remind us to seek God's presence and listen to His voice, just as the disciples did. The moral lesson here is clear: we are called to embrace faith and trust in God's eternal plan, following Jesus as our guide and strength. May we, like the disciples, emerge from moments of revelation with renewed commitment to His will.