First reading Genesis 12:1-4
All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you
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.
Responsorial Psalm 32(33):4-5,18-20,22
May your love be upon us, O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.
The word of the Lord is faithful
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right
and fills the earth with his love.
The Lord looks on those who revere him,
on those who hope in his love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
The Lord is our help and our shield.
May your love be upon us, O Lord,
as we place all our hope in you.
Second reading 2 Timothy 1:8-10
God calls and enlightens us
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.
Gospel Matthew 17:1-9
His face shone like the sun
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.’
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Only Jesus
In the gospel passage, Peter and the other two disciples witnessed Jesus being transfigured and Moses and Elijah conversing with Him. Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here…”. Peter wanted to stay, basking in this wonderful God experience and be away from all the troubles awaiting them down the mountain. However, God silenced Peter, saying: “This is my Son, the Beloved; He enjoys my favour. Listen to Him”. God reminded them to fix their eyes on Jesus, listen to and follow Him, even if it meant going down the mountain and heading towards suffering and rejection in Jerusalem. Jesus personally went to them and touched them, saying, “Stand up, do not be afraid”.
It is a challenge sometimes to go down the valley where overwhelming issues and demanding people await us. However, we must keep looking at Jesus and listening to what He says. Only Jesus can free us from our fears and tiredness and give us the peace and joy to face problems in life if we let Him come to us and touch us. In this prayer time, let us listen to Him, reassuring us, “Stand up, do not be afraid”.
Reflective questions:
What strikes you as you pray with today’s gospel passage? Why?
What strikes you as you pray with today’s gospel passage? Why?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
