FIRST READING
The call of Abraham, the father of the People of God.
A reading from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 12: 1-4a)
In those days: 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. And 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 him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 33:4-5. 18-19.20 and 22 (R. 22)
R/. May your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you, O Lord.
The word of the Lord is faithful,
and all his works to be trusted.
The Lord loves justice and right,
and his merciful love fills the earth. R/.
Yes, the Lord’s eyes are on those who fear him,
who hope in his merciful love,
to rescue their souls from death,
to keep them alive in famine. R/.
R/. May your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you, O Lord.
Our soul is waiting for the Lord.
He is our help and our shield.
May your merciful love be upon us,
as we hope in you, O Lord. R/.
SECOND READING
God calls and enlightens us.
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:8b-10)
Beloved: Take your share of suffering for the Gospel in the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago, and now has manifested through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.
The word of the Lord.
VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL MATTHEW 17-5
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. From the shining cloud the father’s voice is heard: this is my beloved Son, hear him. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
GOSPEL
“His face shone like the sun.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 17: 1-9
At that time: Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 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.” He was still speaking, when behold, 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.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
“It is wonderful that we are here. ”Why not remain here permanently, praying and enjoying this holy companionship? Such a religious experience is good and transforming – it brings one closer to God. But the test of a good religious experience is our everyday life with its challenges. It is wonderful that we gather every Sunday to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus and, like the disciples, to have a religious experience. We come with our joys and hopes, our anxieties and sorrows, our thanksgiving and praises, our needs and desires. We listen to the Word of God and receive Jesus in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. At the end of the Mass, we are sent back to our everyday life, to our homes and places of work – to become witnesses of the transforming religious experience we had at Mass. How much of the Mass do we take home? How much of it is reflected in our lives and encounters?