Daily Readings - Wed Aug 06 2025

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.

Luke

28About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.29As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.30Two men, Moses and Elijah,31appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.32Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.33As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters--one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.)34While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.35A voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him."36When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the majesty of God and the profound revelation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. In the first reading from Daniel, we are presented with a vision of the Ancient One, a symbol of God’s eternal sovereignty, and the Son of Man, who is given dominion and glory. This vision is a prophetic glimpse into the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom, where all nations and peoples will acknowledge His eternal rule. The imagery of the throne, the river of fire, and the heavenly court emphasizes the awe-inspiring power and justice of God. In the Gospel, Luke describes the Transfiguration of Jesus, where Peter, James, and John witness the divine glory of Christ. 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, declaring Jesus as the beloved Son, reinforces His unique relationship with the Father and His authority over all creation. This moment of transfiguration is a revelation of Jesus’ true identity and a call to trust in His mission, even as He prepares to face the cross. These readings remind us that our lives are rooted in God’s eternal plan. Just as the disciples were called to listen to Jesus, we too are invited to surrender to His will and trust in His providence. In our daily lives, we often face moments of uncertainty or fear, but the Transfiguration encourages us to seek a deeper union with God through prayer and contemplation. Let us ask for the grace to see beyond the challenges of this world and to behold the glory of God in all things. May we, like the disciples, emerge from our own “mountaintop” experiences with renewed faith and courage to follow Christ, no matter the cost.