Daily Readings - Mon Aug 06 2018
First Reading - Daniel 7.9-10, 13-14 or 2 Peter 1.16-19
Daniel
9"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.10A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.13"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.14He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
2 Peter
16We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."18We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.19And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Mark
2After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.3His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.4And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.5Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."6(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)7Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"8Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.10They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what "rising from the dead" meant.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound visions of God’s glory and the revelation of His divine plan. The first reading from Daniel describes a heavenly scene where the Ancient of Days, a symbol of God’s eternal wisdom and judgment, sits in power. Before Him, the Son of Man, a figure representing the people of God, is given dominion, glory, and a kingdom that will endure forever. This vision reminds us of God’s ultimate triumph over all earthly powers and the eternal nature of His kingdom. The Gospel from Mark, on the other hand, presents the Transfiguration of Jesus, where He reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. Accompanied by Moses and Elijah, who represent the Law and the Prophets, Jesus is affirmed by the Father as the Beloved Son, the fulfillment of all that has been spoken.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both point to the divine authority and eternal reign of God. In Daniel, the Son of Man receives dominion over all peoples, while in Mark, Jesus is revealed as the Son of God, the one to whom all must listen. Together, they invite us to see beyond the limitations of this world and to trust in God’s plan, which transcends time and human understanding. The Transfiguration, in particular, serves as a moment of encouragement for the disciples, reminding them of the glory that awaits those who follow Jesus, even in the face of suffering and death.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to God’s revelation in our lives? Like Peter, we may feel overwhelmed by the majesty of God, but we are called to listen to Jesus, the Beloved Son, and to trust in His plan. In our daily lives, we are often tempted to focus on the immediate challenges and uncertainties around us, but today’s readings remind us to lift our eyes to the eternal kingdom. Let us strive to live with hope and faith, knowing that God’s power and glory will ultimately prevail. May we, like the disciples, descend from the mountain of prayer and worship, ready to follow Jesus on the path He has set before us, even when the journey is difficult.