Catholic Daily Reading + Reflection, 6 August 2021
Mass Readings, Reflection – Homily for Friday August 6, 2021
Weekday (18)
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: The Sorrowful Mystery
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD (Feast)
Today we remember the revelation of Christ as the beloved Son of the Father, the one we are called to listen to. This special moment on the mountain is meant to give the three chosen disciples, Peter, James and John, strength and courage and to prepare them for the agony in the garden when they will be chosen again to stay close to the Lord.
Theme of the Feast: Jesus Reveals His Face. Jesus speaks of himself as the “son of man.” He used a generic expression that simply means “man.” He used this expression to avoid misunderstandings that other titles, say, king or messiah, might have caused. He used the term also to refer to the vision in the book of Daniel in the first reading. The distance between the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God can be compared to the distance between the instincts of wild beasts and the feelings of a heart of man. Jesus begins the new kingdom of God. The Gospel brings out the surprising way chosen by God to establish his kingdom. It was not going to be a kingdom founded on power— as the kingdoms before him—but a kingdom founded on self-giving and love. If we look at what is happening all around us, we can easily be discouraged and might even conclude that the Kingdom of God will never be established in this world. We see that even after two thousand years “the beasts” seem to be winning. This difficulty has been raised since the first century—as we read in the second reading. The reply—says Peter—is to be sought in the “lamp shining in the dark place”: the word of God entrusted to us.
Entrance Antiphon Cf. Mt 17:5
In a resplendent cloud the Holy Spirit appeared. The Father’s voice was heard: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.
Collect
O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of your Only Begotten Son confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness of the Fathers and wonderfully prefigured our full adoption to sonship, grant, we pray, to your servants, that, listening to the voice of your beloved Son, we may merit to become coheirs with him. Who lives and reigns with you. ..
FIRST READING
His clothing was as white as snow.
A reading from the Book of the Prophet Daniel (Daniel 7:9-10.13-14)
As I looked, thrones were placed and one that was ancient of days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came forth from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgement, and the books were opened. I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm97:1-2.5-6.9(R.cf.la.9a)
R. The Lord is king, the most high above all the earth.
The Lord is king, let earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Cloud and darkness surround him;
Justice and right are the foundation of his throne. R.
The mountains melt like wax
Before the face of the Lord,
Before the face of the Lord of all the earth.
The skies proclaim his justice;
all peoples see his glory. R.
For you indeed are the Lord
most high above all the earth,
exalted far above all gods. R.
SECOND READING
We heard this voice borne from heaven.
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Peter (2 Peter 1:16-19)
Beloved: We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye witnesses of his majesty. For when he received honour and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA Matthew I7:5c
Alleluia. This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
His face shone like the sun.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 9:2b-10)
At that time: Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them, and his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.” And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of man should have risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Prayer of the Faithful
Jesus in his glory.
PRIEST: Jesus was transformed in glory on the mountain when his face shone like the sun. In union with Saints Peter, James and John, we make our prayers to the Lord, as we draw near to him in faith.
READER:
FOR THE CHURCH, (pause) that she may always be illumined by the glory of her Lord, and that his brightness may shine through her teaching. (pause) Lord, hear us; through the glory of your Son we pray Oh Lord.
FOR THOSE WHO DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS, (pause) that they may continue to see man as made in God’s image and likeness, and worthy in his own right of the basic human freedoms. (pause) Lord, hear us; through the glory of your Son we pray Oh Lord.
FOR THOSE WHOSE VISION OF CHRIST HAS GROWN DIM, (pause) that they, in the company of the apostles, may discover in quiet prayer and reflection the glory and wonder of Christ’s presence. (pause) Lord, hear us; through the glory of your Son we pray Oh Lord.
FOR A SENSE OF JOY IN THE COMMUNITY, (pause) that we may always be glad to be Christians, and see our worship together on Sunday s as our meeting place with Christ and with one another. (pause) Lord, hear us; through the glory of your Son we pray Oh Lord.
We pray in silence for own our petitions to God, our Loving Father.
PRIEST: Father, you are well pleased with your Son; be pleased to answer our prayers, which we make to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today’s Reflection
As they struggled to understand the impending scandal of the cross, Jesus’ Apostles were at their lowest ebb. But in the darkness disappointment God shows us a glimpse of the light. The Transfiguration of Jesus rekindled their hopes. He shone and his appearance changed. They could see a glimpse of the glory of Jesus and had a better idea of his divinity when they heard the voice of God telling them, “listen to him.” Usually, in moments of darkness and disappointment there are many voices telling us to go here and there for solutions. In those confusing moments, if we listen attentively to the voice of Jesus, we cannot go wrong.
Personal Devotional
Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me, do not take your holy spirit away from me. Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51: 10-12
– On what path are you walking, child of God?
– Many ways seem right to the man but the end thereof is condemnation. Ask the Holy Spirit to redirect your footsteps to the Lord’s path.
-Your eyes may have been veiled to see Jesus, ask the Lord to open the eyes of your mind to see and accept Jesus live in their lives and for their salvation.
-Pray against dashed hopes and shattered dreams of your lives and look towards the rising sun and not towards the settling sun.
Let Us Pray
O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness, and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the grace to have perfect trust in your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to you, we shall see your hand, your purpose, your will through all things in Jesus name Amen.