Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
We encourage you to reflect on Thursday's readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080620.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Deuteronomy: 7-9, 10, 13-14
Responsorial: Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 9
Second Reading: 2 Peter 1: 16-19
Gospel: Matthew 17: 1-9
Our reflection on Thursday’s readings:
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven. 2 Peter 1: 18
Without a doubt, one of my heartfelt favorite scripture passages is within the readings today. It refers to the Voice, coming from heaven. A voice that comes into our hearts and whispers, “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 17: 5). To have that voice so clearly heard, fills my soul with a deep joy.
As I reflect on this, I think about those who I befriended along my life’s journey, and at times would pause and hear a voice giving me the same message that I read in scripture today. I heard that voice when I was with my mother during her last years of life as Alzheimer’s overtook her mind and body. I heard that voice when just sitting quietly with my husband and feeling grateful for the gift of love. I heard that voice when standing in solidarity with communities advancing justice and peace.
If I pay attention, as I move through life’s journey, I know I can hear this Voice say, “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” There is an invitation from today’s reading to see God’s incarnational presence in our daily lives. God is risen and is in our midst.
May your hearts and ears hear the sacred voice today,
Margarita Solis-Deal