Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 5, 2023
First Reading: Genesis 12.1-4
1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:2And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.4So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
Psalm 33
1Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.2Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.3Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.4For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.5He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.6By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.7He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.8Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.13The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.14From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.15He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.17An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.18Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;19To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.20Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.21For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.22Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1.8b-10
8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,10But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
Gospel: Matthew 17.1-9
1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.8And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.9And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again 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.