Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 08-06-05, Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 08-06-05 | New American Bible

[Salvation]

August 6, 2005
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Psalm: Saturday 34

Reading I
Dn 7:9-10, 13-14

As I watched:

Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
his throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened and the books were opened.

As the visions during the night continued, I saw:

One like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9

R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

Reading II
2 Pt 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 had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father
when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,
"This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven
while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.
You will do well to be attentive to it,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Gospel
Mt 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
"Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him."
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
"Rise, and do not be afraid."
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
"Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

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For your reading, reflection, faith-sharing, comments, questions, discussion.

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The Transfiguration Of Christ
Theophanes the Greek,
late 14th century

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It Is Good For Us To Be Here: The Transfiguration of the Lord

AUGUST 6 - FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION

Transfiguration

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HYMN

O raise your eyes on high and see

There stands our sovereign Lord,

His glory is this day revealed,

His Word a two-edged sword.

We glimpse the splendor and the power

Of him who conquered death,

The Christ in whom the universe

Knows God's creating breath.

Of every creed and nation King

In him all strife is stilled;

The promise made to Abraham

In him has been fulfilled.

The prophets stand and with great joy

Give witness as they gaze;

The Father with a sign has sealed

Our trust, our hope,our praise,

This glory that today our eyes

Have glimpsed of God's own Son

Will help us ever sing with Love

Of Three who are but One

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Thank you!

[Smartass]

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breath into me Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may

all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit,
that my work too, may be holy.
Attrac t my heart, Holy Spirit,
that I may love only

what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit,
that I may defend all

that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy.

Deus vobiscum

[Salvation]

From: 2 Peter 1:16-19


The Transfiguration, an Earnest of the Second Coming

---

[16] For 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
eyewitnesses of His majesty. [17] For when He received honor 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," [18] we
heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy
mountain.


Prophecy and the Second Coming

---

[19] 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.

---

Commentary:


16-18. The transfiguration of Jesus Christ, at which the voice of God
the Father was heard (verses 16-18), and the testimony of the Old
Testament prophets (verses 19-21) are a guarantee of the doctrine of
Christ's second coming.


"The power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ": this phrase sums up
the purpose of apostolic preaching: "power" indicates that Jesus Christ
is God and is almighty like the Father; the "coming (literally
"Parousia") means the same as His manifestation in glory at the end of
time. This is not a matter of "myth"; it will be as real as His
sojourn on this earth, of which the Apostles are "eyewitnesses". When
speaking of the Transfiguration, the sacred writer refers to the
"majesty" of Jesus Christ (an attribute which He always possesses,
because He is God) and the "voice" of the Father confirming Christ's
divine nature (cf. Matthew 17:5). The simple line of argument is that
if Jesus Christ allowed His divinity to be glimpsed just for a moment,
He will also be able to manifest it in its fullness and forever at the
end of time.


"On the holy mountain": this wording indicates that he is referring to
the transfiguration and not to the baptism of our Lord (Matthew
3:16-17). The mountain is described as "holy" because a theophany
occurred there; similarly, in the Old Testament Zion is called a
"holy mountain" because God revealed Himself there (cf. Psalm 2:6;
Isaiah 11:9).


19-21. "The prophetic word" finds its complete fulfillment in Jesus
Christ (cf. Hebrews 1:1). This does not refer to a particular
prophecy; at that time "the prophetic word" meant the messianic
prophecies or (more usually) all the Old Testament insofar as it
proclaims the enduring salvation to come.


These verses encapsulate the whole notion of biblical prophecy--its
value, interpretation and divine origin. They also show the close
connection between the Old and the New Testaments. "The books of the
Old Testament, all of them caught up into the Gospel message, attain
and show forth their full meaning in the New Testament (cf. Matthew
5:17; Luke 24:27; Romans 16:25-26; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16) and, in their
turn, shed light on it and explain it" (Vatican II, "Dei Verbum", 16).


By reaching their fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Old Testament
prophecies confirm the truthfulness of what Jesus said and did.
Together with the Transfiguration they constitute a guarantee of the
second coming of the Lord.


The comparison of prophecy to the morning star is a very good one, for
that star is designed to bring light and announce the coming of day.
Similarly, the fullness of Revelation which begins with the earthly
life of Christ will reach its climax when He comes in glory.

---

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

[Salvation]

From: Matthew 17:1-9


The Transfiguration

---

[1] And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John,
his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. [2] And He was
transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His
garments became white as light. [3] And behold, there appeared to them
Moses and Elijah, talking with Him. [4] And Peter said to Jesus,
"Lord, it is well that we are here; if You wish, I will make three
booths here, one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah." [5] He
was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a
voice from the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well
pleased; listen to Him." [6] When the disciples heard this, they fell
on their faces, and were filled with awe. [7] But Jesus came and
touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." [8] And when they lifted up
their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.


[9] And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them,
"Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead."

---

Commentary:


1-13. Realizing that His death will demoralize His disciples, Jesus
forewarns them and strengthens their faith. Not content with telling
them in advance about His death and resurrection on the third day, He
wants two of the three future pillars of the Church (cf. Galatians 2:9)
to see His transfiguration and thereby glimpse the glory and majesty
with which His holy human nature will be endowed in Heaven.


The Father's testimony (verse 5), expressed in the same words as He
used at Christ's baptism (cf. Matthew 3:17), reveals to the three
Apostles that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the beloved, God
Himself. To these words--also spoken at Christ's baptism--He adds,
"Listen to Him", as if to indicate that Jesus is also the supreme
prophet foretold by Moses (cf. Deuteronomy 18:15-18).


3. Moses and Elijah are the two most prominent representatives of the
Old Testament--the Law and the Prophets. The fact that Christ occupies
the central position points up His pre-eminence over them, and the
superiority of the New Testament over the Old.


This dazzling glimpse of divine glory is enough to send the Apostles
into a rapture; so happy are they that Peter cannot contain his desire
to prolong this experience.


5. In Christ God speaks to all men; through the Church His voice
resounds in all ages: "The Church does not cease to listen to His
words. She rereads them continually. With the greatest devotion she
reconstructs every detail of His life. These words are listened to
also by non-Christians. The life of Christ speaks, also, to many who
are not capable of repeating with Peter, `You are the Christ, the Son
of the living God' (Matthew 16:16). He, the Son of the living God,
speaks to people also as Man: it is His life that speaks, His humanity,
His fidelity to the truth, His all-embracing love. Furthermore, His
death on the Cross speaks--that is to say the inscrutable depth of His
suffering and abandonment. The Church never ceases to relive His death
on the Cross and His resurrection, which constitute the content of the
Church's daily life [...]. The Church lives His mystery, draws
unwearingly from it and continually seeks ways of bringing this mystery
of her Master and Lord to humanity--to the peoples, the nations, the
succeeding generations, and every individual human being" ([Pope] John
Paul II, "Redemptor Hominis", 7).

---

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Collect: God our Father, in the transfigured glory of Christ your Son, you strengthen our faith by confirming the witness of your prophets, and show us the splendor of your beloved sons and daughters. As we listen to the voice of your Son, help us to become heirs to eternal life with him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Recipes: » Barbecue Pilaf » Pilaff » Spiced Grape Jelly Activities: » Family and Friends of Jesus Scrapbook Album » Namedays » Religion in the Home for Elementary School: August » Religion in the Home for Preschool: August more » What is a Nameday? less Prayers: » August Devotion: The Immaculate Heart

August 06, 2005 Feast of the Transfiguration Old Calendar: Transfiguration of Our Lord This feast became widespread in the West in the 11th century and was introduced into the Roman calendar in 1457 to commemorate the victory over Islam in Belgrade. Before that, the Transfiguration of the Lord was celebrated in the Syrian, Byzantine, and Coptic rites. The Transfiguration foretells the glory of the Lord as God, and His Ascension into heaven. It anticipates the glory of heaven, where we shall see God face to face. Through grace, we already share in the divine promise of eternal life. The Transfiguration In the Transfiguration Christ enjoyed for a short while that glorified state which was to be permanently His after His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The splendor of His inward Divinity and of the Beatific Vision of His soul overflowed on His body, and permeated His garments so that Christ stood before Peter, James, and John in a snow-white brightness. The purpose of the Transfiguration was to encourage and strengthen the Apostles who were depressed by their Master's prediction of His own Passion and Death. The Apostles were made to understand that His redeeming work has two phases: The Cross, and glory—that we shall be glorified with Him only if we first suffer with Him. — Rt. Rev. Msgr. Rudolph G. Bandas Jesus and the three apostles Peter, James and John went up to the top of Mount Tabor. At a certain moment the divine Master disappeared from their sight to reappear all at once in a glory of light and splendor. Moses and Elijah stood on either side of him, and Jesus was talking to them. Moses represented the Law, Elijah the prophecies that had been made through the centuries, foretelling the Redemption of man. What was Jesus speaking about with these two personages of the Old Testament? Certainly not about human and worldly opinions and enterprises, nor about the enjoyment of this transient life, but about the fulfillment of the purpose of God's infinite goodness, in accordance with which the Son of God made man was about to suffer and die on the Cross in order to save mankind. The three apostles were not yet capable of understanding all this; they were so entranced by the vision that they wished it could last for ever, so intense was the joy of their hearts. Stricken with awe they fell to the ground, but were soon raised again by Jesus who had re-assumed his ordinary human appearance. "Rise, and have no fear." That was the first order he gave them, and then, as they were coming down from the mountain, he said: "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead". In this episode described by St Matthew there is a profound and sublime lesson for all times, and for Christians of all sorts and conditions. In this earthly life we must not expect every hour to offer us joy, pleasures and glory, even if we seek these with an honest and legitimate purpose. The Transfiguration was to be followed, very soon, by the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus. — Pope John XXIII

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Did you catch this fact?

**This feast became widespread in the West in the 11th century and was introduced into the Roman calendar in 1457 to commemorate the victory over Islam in Belgrade.**

[Siobhan]

Bump!

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A Voice in the Desert

 

 

Father Altier is on retreat. No homilies will be available until Friday August 12. God Bless you. -DesertVoice Support

[P.O.E.]

[annalex]

Mt 17:1-9
#	Douay-Rheims	Vulgate
1	And after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:	et post dies sex adsumpsit Iesus Petrum et Iacobum et Iohannem fratrem eius et ducit illos in montem excelsum seorsum
2	And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow.	et transfiguratus est ante eos et resplenduit facies eius sicut sol vestimenta autem eius facta sunt alba sicut nix
3	And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him.	et ecce apparuit illis Moses et Helias cum eo loquentes
4	And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.	respondens autem Petrus dixit ad Iesum Domine bonum est nos hic esse si vis faciamus hic tria tabernacula tibi unum et Mosi unum et Heliae unum
5	And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.	adhuc eo loquente ecce nubes lucida obumbravit eos et ecce vox de nube dicens hic est Filius meus dilectus in quo mihi bene conplacuit ipsum audite
6	And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much afraid.	et audientes discipuli ceciderunt in faciem suam et timuerunt valde
7	And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear not.	et accessit Iesus et tetigit eos dixitque eis surgite et nolite timere
8	And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus.	levantes autem oculos suos neminem viderunt nisi solum Iesum
9	And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.	et descendentibus illis de monte praecepit Iesus dicens nemini dixeritis visionem donec Filius hominis a mortuis resurgat

[annalex]

The Transfiguration, St. Jerome, St. Augustine

Sandro Botticelli
c. 1500, Tempera on panel, 27.2 x 35.3 cm
Rome, Galleria Pallavicini

[Salvation]

Thanks for that illustration. I don't think I have ever seen one with so many people in the lower paprt of the picture.

[Salvation]

Beautiful!