Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
Second reading 2 Timothy 1:8-10
Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.
Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Reflection
By Fely C. Santiago
“Rise, and have no fear”
The word “fear” is mentioned in the Bible so many times that you would think it was another name for human being. That’s why in the Bible we also often hear Jesus' greetings of “Peace be with you” and “Do not be afraid”.
Fear is a normal feeling. But when it starts to consume us then it’s something that’s not from God anymore. It’s the weapon of the enemy to keep us away from our focus on God. What is your greatest fear? Is it death? Sickness? Loss of a job? No money? But the most difficult fear to overcome is a free-floating anxiety without known cause. You just worry a lot and always so anxious. I know a lot of people who worry a lot and are always so anxious even with little things. They have a lot of “what-if”.
Pause for now and ask yourself, what are you so anxious about? What are your fears? Why do you fear? Bring that fear to the loving presence of God. Imagine the Lord is sitting beside you. Cry out to him from the depths of your heart for courage. Repeat the words of Jesus “My Father if it is possible, take this cup from me, yet not my will but Yours be done”.
Renew your faith. Recite the Creed to remember that what you fear to lose is less valuable than God himself. God is everything. He is there for you. He never fails you. He never abandons you. And most of all, He loves you unconditionally. His mercy never ends. So rise, have no fear…you are never alone. God is with you always.
Remember the stormy night in Galilee? Jesus manifested a power beyond anything we can comprehend. How did Jesus respond to the disciples’ fearful cries amidst the storm? He told them to have courage. That’s the way Jesus always treats us speaking a word of courage, calming our souls. We may feel that we are alone in the dark, full of our fears but the truth is that God sees us no matter where we are or what we are going through. Just as Jesus walked on the water to come to the disciples, he can come to us and CALM our FEARS.
“Rise, and have no fear”
The word “fear” is mentioned in the Bible so many times that you would think it was another name for human being. That’s why in the Bible we also often hear Jesus' greetings of “Peace be with you” and “Do not be afraid”.
Fear is a normal feeling. But when it starts to consume us then it’s something that’s not from God anymore. It’s the weapon of the enemy to keep us away from our focus on God. What is your greatest fear? Is it death? Sickness? Loss of a job? No money? But the most difficult fear to overcome is a free-floating anxiety without known cause. You just worry a lot and always so anxious. I know a lot of people who worry a lot and are always so anxious even with little things. They have a lot of “what-if”.
Pause for now and ask yourself, what are you so anxious about? What are your fears? Why do you fear? Bring that fear to the loving presence of God. Imagine the Lord is sitting beside you. Cry out to him from the depths of your heart for courage. Repeat the words of Jesus “My Father if it is possible, take this cup from me, yet not my will but Yours be done”.
Renew your faith. Recite the Creed to remember that what you fear to lose is less valuable than God himself. God is everything. He is there for you. He never fails you. He never abandons you. And most of all, He loves you unconditionally. His mercy never ends. So rise, have no fear…you are never alone. God is with you always.
Remember the stormy night in Galilee? Jesus manifested a power beyond anything we can comprehend. How did Jesus respond to the disciples’ fearful cries amidst the storm? He told them to have courage. That’s the way Jesus always treats us speaking a word of courage, calming our souls. We may feel that we are alone in the dark, full of our fears but the truth is that God sees us no matter where we are or what we are going through. Just as Jesus walked on the water to come to the disciples, he can come to us and CALM our FEARS.
Prayer
Lord Jesus I am always so afraid. I am full of “what-if”. What if I die, what if I get sick, what if I don’t have money, what if...,what if…Please increase my faith in You. I know You are always there for me to guide me, to protect me, to provide for my needs, to heal me, to love me, to forgive me. You are more than enough for me. That’s all I ask in Your Mighty Name, Amen.
Lord Jesus I am always so afraid. I am full of “what-if”. What if I die, what if I get sick, what if I don’t have money, what if...,what if…Please increase my faith in You. I know You are always there for me to guide me, to protect me, to provide for my needs, to heal me, to love me, to forgive me. You are more than enough for me. That’s all I ask in Your Mighty Name, Amen.
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