Daily Readings - Sun Mar 16 2025
Genesis
5And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.6And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.7And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.8And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?9And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.10And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.11And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.12And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.17And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.18In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
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 moments of faith and revelation that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Genesis recounts God's covenant with Abram, where Abram's trust in God's promise is met with the establishment of a sacred covenant. This moment signifies the beginning of a divine relationship, emphasizing faith as a cornerstone of our connection with God.
The second reading from Philippians shifts our gaze to the future, urging us to embrace our heavenly citizenship and await Christ's return with hope. Paul reminds us that our true home is in heaven, where Christ will transform our bodies to reflect His glory. This passage invites us to live with an eternal perspective, trusting in God's plan beyond our current circumstances.
The Gospel narrative of the Transfiguration in Luke offers a vivid display of Jesus' divine glory, accompanied by Moses and Elijah, symbolizing the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The Father's command to "listen to Him" underscores Jesus' central role in our faith. This event not only strengthens the disciples' faith but also serves as a reminder to us of the revelation of God's glory in moments of doubt or uncertainty.
These readings collectively call us to trust in God's promises, just as Abram did, and to live with hope in the face of uncertainty. They remind us that our ultimate hope lies in Christ's return and the transformation He will bring. In our daily lives, we are encouraged to keep our eyes fixed on heavenly things, trusting that God's plan, though sometimes unclear, is always rooted in His love and faithfulness. Let us, therefore, embrace the lessons of faith and hope from these readings, allowing them to guide us as we navigate our own journeys of trust and discipleship.