Daily Reflection for Friday, August 06, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
We encourage you to reflect on Friday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/080621.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Responsorial: Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
Second Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-19
Gospel: Mark 9:2-10
Our reflection on Friday’s readings:
And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Mark 9:2-3
. . . from the cloud came a voice, this is my beloved Son. Listen to him. Mark 9:7
Imagine the impressive event in today’s Gospel commemorating the feast of the Transfiguration. Jesus leads his three closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—up a high mountain. Right before their eyes He was transfigured—physically changed. The dazzling white brightness reveals that Jesus is the Son of God, and we must listen to Him. In one dramatic event Christ illustrates His authority, His glory, and His identity.
We look to the heavens and wonder. What is beyond time and place? Where did we come from and where are we going? We have a glimpse of the incomprehensible in today’s reading. Elijah and Moses appeared and were conversing with Jesus. Peter, very terrified, reacted as many would; he wanted to honor all three by building tents for Jesus, Elijah, and Moses. But God’s voice made him realize that Jesus is the main one. The disciples soon realized they were in the presence of only Jesus. Throughout this meeting, Peter’s Adam’s apple must have been clear up to his throat.
A crude analogy sums up our relationship with God, the incomprehensible. We are like a faithful dog—we hear our master’s voice, we are comforted. We know that throughout the days of our lives we have been provided with shelter and goodness. When we die, we listen and hear our master’s voice from another room. We leap forth into that other room knowing our master is there. As believers, we have the answer to our question—our master is here with us now and forever.
As Pope Francis states, it is up to us to “Listen to Jesus and follow Him." That’s the message of the Transfiguration.
Dear Lord, as we think about the Transfiguration, we know we have received an invitation that says, “Listen to Him.” May we accept the invitation to listen, to follow, and to remain in God’s presence.
Dorothy and Carlos Alexander