The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your family and your father’s house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing.
‘I will bless those who bless you:
I will curse those who slight you.
All the tribes of the earth
shall bless themselves by you.’
So Abram went as the Lord told him.
Second reading 2 Timothy 1:8-10
With me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy – not because of anything we ourselves have done but for his own purpose and by his own grace. This grace had already been granted to us, in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time, but it has only been revealed by the Appearing of our saviour Christ Jesus. He abolished death, and he has proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.’
This Sunday, we read the account of the Transfiguration of our Lord up in a mountain that was witnessed by three of His disciples. Through it, God manifested that Jesus is truly a God and not just a human being. It is important to take note that Moses, who introduced the 10 Commandments, and Elijah, the greatest of the prophets, are present in the event and they were talking to Jesus.
How is then Jesus, Moses, and Elijah associated with one another? The Gospel tells us that suddenly a bright cloud covered them in shadows and a voice from God says This is my Son, my Beloved, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” Taking into account the Old Testament, Moses was also God’s chosen one who led God's chosen people of Israel away from the persecutions in Egypt. Elijah, whom we see as the perfect example of the prophets, is also God’s chosen who was called to speak to the people in His name to encourage them in their faith. And of course, Jesus is the Son of God, who redeemed us from our sins and gave us eternal life as adopted sons and daughters of the Father in Heaven.
Also, all three of them went up a mountain. Moses went to Mount Sinai where he received the Ten Commandments or the Law. And it is known that Elijah resided in Mount Carmel and it is here where he defeated the prophets of Baal. While both Moses and Elijah were led by God to these holy mountains to witness His glory as God, Jesus led the disciples to the mountain, which is believed to be Mount Tabor, to manifest His glory as God.
As Christians, we are the disciples of Christ and we ought to “listen to Him.” The First Reading gives us an account of what it means to listen and follow the invitation of God. He calls us not to be forsaken but to be blessed forever and be a blessing for others. And in the Second Reading, the Apostle Paul clearly explained that we are saved and called by Christ not through our merits, but through His holiness. He came to us to destroy death and sin among us so that we may have life. This is the manifestation of God’s glory to us that we may be transfigured as Christ did in the mountain. And as God calls us, the Psalmist reminds us to “place our trust in” God and ask for God’s mercy.
During this Season of Lent, Christ invites us once more to "transfigure" so that we may present ourselves as Christ-like to other people and be a blessing to them. Let us be prayerful and repent from our sins. Let us fast that we may allow God to be our strength.
How is then Jesus, Moses, and Elijah associated with one another? The Gospel tells us that suddenly a bright cloud covered them in shadows and a voice from God says This is my Son, my Beloved, my Chosen One. Listen to him.” Taking into account the Old Testament, Moses was also God’s chosen one who led God's chosen people of Israel away from the persecutions in Egypt. Elijah, whom we see as the perfect example of the prophets, is also God’s chosen who was called to speak to the people in His name to encourage them in their faith. And of course, Jesus is the Son of God, who redeemed us from our sins and gave us eternal life as adopted sons and daughters of the Father in Heaven.
Also, all three of them went up a mountain. Moses went to Mount Sinai where he received the Ten Commandments or the Law. And it is known that Elijah resided in Mount Carmel and it is here where he defeated the prophets of Baal. While both Moses and Elijah were led by God to these holy mountains to witness His glory as God, Jesus led the disciples to the mountain, which is believed to be Mount Tabor, to manifest His glory as God.
As Christians, we are the disciples of Christ and we ought to “listen to Him.” The First Reading gives us an account of what it means to listen and follow the invitation of God. He calls us not to be forsaken but to be blessed forever and be a blessing for others. And in the Second Reading, the Apostle Paul clearly explained that we are saved and called by Christ not through our merits, but through His holiness. He came to us to destroy death and sin among us so that we may have life. This is the manifestation of God’s glory to us that we may be transfigured as Christ did in the mountain. And as God calls us, the Psalmist reminds us to “place our trust in” God and ask for God’s mercy.
During this Season of Lent, Christ invites us once more to "transfigure" so that we may present ourselves as Christ-like to other people and be a blessing to them. Let us be prayerful and repent from our sins. Let us fast that we may allow God to be our strength.
Prayer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k2JyiXYPTU
No comments:
Post a Comment
Tell us what you feel...