The Transfiguration of the Lord –
Feast
Psalter: Week II
Green
The Transfiguration of the Lord can sound embarrassingly magical. Why did it happen: Surely so that we could see and understand that Jesus is at once one of the prophets and the one that was prophesied by them and that he is God.
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 son ship, 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 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 (97):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: Mt 17:5
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
In this incident Jesus appeared in glory with Moses, the great lawgiver of Israel, and with Elijah, the greatest prophet, in the presence of three of his beloved apostles. What is the significance of this mysterious appearance? Jesus went to the mountain knowing full well what awaited him in Jerusalem — His betrayal, rejection and crucifixion. Jesus likely discussed this momentous decision to go to the cross with Moses and Elijah. God the Father also spoke with Jesus and gave His approval, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” The cloud which overshadowed Jesus and His apostles fulfilled the dream of the Jews that when the Messiah came, the cloud of God’s presence would fill the temple again (see Exodus 16:10, 19:9, 33:9; 1 Kings 8:10; 2 Maccabees 2:8). We, too, like Disciples of Christ, are called to be witnesses of his glory.