Posted: 2/20/2013 6:05:42 PM EDT
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First Reading:
Genesis 15:5-12,17-18 5. And he brought him outside, and he said to him, “Take in the heavens, Abram and number the stars, if you can.” And he said to him, “So also will your offspring be.” 6. Abram believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice. 7. And he said to him, “I am the Lord who led you away from Ur of the Chaldeans, so as to give you this land, and so that you would possess it.” 8. But he said, “Lord God, in what way may I be able to know that I will possess it?” 9. And the Lord responded by saying: “Take for me a cow of three years, and a she-goat of three years, and a ram of three years, also a turtle-dove and a pigeon.” 10. Taking all these, he divided them through the middle, and placed both parts opposite one another. But the birds he did not divide. 11. And birds descended upon the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. 12. And when the sun was setting, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a dread, great and dark, invaded him. 17. Then, when the sun had set, there came a dark mist, and there appeared a smoking furnace and a lamp of fire passing between those divisions. 18. On that day, God formed a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your offspring I will give this land, from the river of Egypt, even to the great river Euphrates: Psalm: Psalms 27:1,7-9,13-14 (1a) The Lord is my light and my salvation. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? The Lord is my light and my salvation. Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Your presence, O LORD, I seek. Hide not your face from me; do not in anger repel your servant. You are my helper: cast me not off. The Lord is my light and my salvation. I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Second Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1 17. Brothers and Sisters: Be imitators of me, brothers, and observe those who are walking similarly, just as you have seen by our example. 18. For many persons, about whom I have often told you (and now tell you, weeping,) are walking as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19. Their end is destruction; their god is their belly; and their glory is in their shame: for they are immersed in earthly things. 20. But our way of life is in heaven. And from heaven, too, we await the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, 21. who will transform the body of our lowliness, according to the form of the body of his glory, by means of that power by which he is even able to subject all things to himself. 1. And so, my most beloved and most desired brothers, my joy and my crown: stand firm in this way, in the Lord, most beloved. Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36 Transfiguration Of Jesus28b.he took Peter and James and John, and he ascended onto a mountain, so that he might pray. 29. And while he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his vestment became white and shining. 30. And behold, two men were talking with him. And these were Moses and Elijah, appearing in majesty. 31. And they spoke of his departure, which he would accomplish at Jerusalem. 32. Yet truly, Peter and those who were with him were weighed down by sleep. And becoming alert, they saw his majesty and the two men who were standing with him. 33. And it happened that, as these were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus: “Teacher, it is good for us to be here. And so, let us make three tabernacles: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what he was saying. 34. Then, as he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them. And as these were entering into the cloud, they were afraid. 35. And a voice came from the cloud, saying: “This is my beloved son. Listen to him.” 36. And while the voice was being uttered, Jesus was found to be alone. And they were silent and told no one, in those days, any of these things, which they had seen. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Overview of the Gospel: • In this Sunday’s Gospel Jesus, having just made his first prediction of his Passion (Luke 9:22), takes three of his Apostles (Peter, John, and James) up to Mt. Tabor to pray. Jesus often prays at momentous times in his life (see Luke 6:12; 9:18; 11:1; 22:41; 23:46), and these same three Apostles are often present at crucial times (see Luke 5:37; 14:33). • During Jesus’ prayer, he is transfigured so that his divine glory (usually veiled by his human flesh) is revealed, in a limited way, to these three Apostles. Their experience recalls the experience of Israel at another mountain (Sinai) where in a similar way God’s glory was seen and his voice heard (see Exodus 20:18-21 and Deuteronomy 5:24). • The presence of Moses and Elijah represent, respectively, the Jewish Law and Prophets whose voices Israel had always been urged to heed. Jesus, who is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, is God’s chosen Son; God’s voice tells us to “listen to him" (Verses 35-36). Questions: • In the First Reading, why was Abram (later renamed Abraham by God) doubtful of God’s promises? Ultimately, upon what did Abram place his trust that God would fulfill the promises that he had made to make of Abram a great nation with innumerable descendents? • Why would Jesus take these three disciples to witness this event? How is this related to: (a) Peter’s confession (verses 18-20)? (b) Jesus’ prophecy (verse 22)? (c) The preceding saying (verse 27)? (d) The radiant face of Moses (Exodus 34:29-30)? • Why is this event misunderstood by Peter (verse 33)? Underscored by God (verses 34-35)? • When have you experienced God in an unusual manner? What happened? • When it comes to listening to Jesus, how hard of hearing are you? • What do you do to obey the command of the Father to obey his Son? |
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• Why would Jesus take these three disciples to witness this event? How is this related to: (a) Peter’s confession (verses 18-20)? (b) Jesus’ prophecy (verse 22)? (c) The preceding saying (verse 27)? (d) The radiant face of Moses (Exodus 34:29-30)?
Our Blessed Lord, ever mindful that He has come to fulfill and not abolish one iota of "The Law," takes three witnesses as a Jewish legal requirement. Any life and death choice or instance needed two or three "witnesses." (Deuteronomy 17:6) This account is structured to show a parallel with Moses who went up Mount Sinai to talk with God (burning bush) and to receive the ten commandments. We also note Peter's constant primacy whenever he is mentioned--Peter is always mentioned first and foremost. The relationship of today's Good News to Peter's confession in Luke 9:18-20 is very similar, but now we have Peter himself first recognizing Jesus as the Messiah AND in front of the other apostles as his "witnesses." It truly is Peter's declaration of a life altering fact spoken before witnesses. Again we see Jesus explaining before the apostles as "witnesses" that he must be judged, killed, and raised up from the dead in Luke 9:22. Again, many many believers would "witness" the fact that Jesus conquered death by his appearances to many after His resurrection. In Luke 9:27 we see the reference, beyond doubt, to the firm establishment and victorious progress, in the lifetime of some of those believers then present, of that new Kingdom of Christ, which was destined to work the greatest of all changes on this earth, and be the grand pledge of His final coming in glory. Again a grand "witness" before all the world. Finally, we see where Jesus shone brighter than the sun--a magnificent radiance. For a few moments, Christ let the earthly veil lift and human beings actually saw the glory of God. This contrasts with Moses' radiant face after he came down from Mt. Sinai, since Moses then covered his face! Our Blessed Lord gave us a glimpse of his total majesty, beauty, power and authority! 
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