Psalter: Proper
The Transfiguration of the Lord – Feast
Green/White
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Mt 17: 5
In a resplendent cloud the Holy Spirit appeared. The Father’s voice was heard: This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.
Collect
O God, who in the glorious Transfiguration of your Only Begotten Son, confirmed the mysteries of faith by the witness of the Fathers and wonderfully prefigured our full adoption to sonship, grant, we pray, to your servants, that, listening to the voice of your beloved Son, we may merit to become coheirs with him. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Daniel 7:9-10,13-14
As I watched: Thrones were set in place and one of great age took his seat. His robe was white as snow, the hair of his head as pure as wool. His throne was a blaze of flames, its wheels were a burning fire. A stream of fire poured out, issuing from his presence. A thousand thousand waited on him, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. A court was held and the books were opened. And I saw, coming on the clouds of heaven, one like a son of man. He came to the one of great age and was led into his presence. On him was conferred sovereignty, glory and kingship, and men of all peoples, nations and languages became his servants. His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty which shall never pass away, nor will his empire ever be destroyed.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2,5-6,9
R/ The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.
The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, let all the coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his raiment; his throne, justice and right.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord of all the earth. The skies proclaim his justice; all peoples see his glory.
For you indeed are the Lord most high above all the earth, exalted far above all spirits.
Gospel Acclamation : Mt17:5
Alleluia, alleluia! This is my Son, the Beloved: he enjoys my favour. Listen to him. Alleluia!
Gospel: Mark 9:2-10
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus: ‘Rabbi,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.’ Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them any more but only Jesus. As they came down from the mountain he warned them to tell no one what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They observed the warning faithfully, though among themselves they discussed what ‘rising from the dead’ could mean.
Prayer over the Offerings
Sanctify, O Lord, we pray, these offerings here made to celebrate the glorious Transfiguration of your Only Begotten Son, and by his radiant splendor cleanse us from the stains of sin. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. 1 Jn 3: 2
When Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
Prayer after Communion
May the heavenly nourishment we have received, O Lord, we pray, transform us into the likeness of your Son, whose radiant splendour you willed to make manifest in his glorious Transfiguration. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Meditation
Overwhelmed by the transfiguration spectacle, the three disciples sought for a perpetual extension of the transfiguration gratification. They were unaware of the deep personal sacrifices required to ‘come down’ and encounter the daily cost of adhering to God’s Laws and surrendering of the self to prophetic risks as represented by Moses and Elijah. We are living in a historical moment where people are clamouring for change without committing themselves to personal interior change. The Transfiguration experience cannot be reduced to an emotional gratification obtained from momentary spiritual encounters and external religiosity. It is rather an outcome of labourious efforts for interior transformation where ascending begins with self-emptying and ‘coming down’ from the mountain of pride. It demands for an inner disposition to listen and be disfigured into obedience by the voice of God’s Beloved Son. At the height of spiritual transfiguration, we are configured to Jesus.