Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1

       The Bible contains more than 3,500 promises of God to His people. God promised that if we search for Him, we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29).

         He promised that His love will never fail (1 Chronicles 16:34).

      God promised blessings for all who will delight themselves in His Word (Psalm 1:1-3).

         He promised that all things will work out for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

       And the list goes on and on. For every circumstance, God has an answer. There is nothing to fear when troubles or trials come our way. Because God is with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. That’s His promise!

       It may take a while for promises to come true in your life. But whatever you are going through right now, know that “whatever God promises, He does; He speaks and it is done” (Number 23:19). Lala Dela Cruz (bella.delacruz@gmail.com)

Reflection:Be excited because God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we can ask or think!

Lord, I hold on to Your promises. Help me to wait patiently for their fulfillment.

Blessed John of Fiesole, pray for us.

Today’s reading celebrates the faith of the fathers of humanity. Through them we see what it means to follow God. They were obedient to their covenants with God. As God continues to reveal Himself, this commitment becomes more personal and moves the individual to choose a relationship with Him.

1 Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. 2 Because of it the ancients were well attested. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s. Through this he was attested to be righteous, God bearing witness to his gifts, and through this, though dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was found no more because God had taken him. Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen, with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household. Through this he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.

R: I will praise your name forever, Lord.

2 Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. (R) 4 Generation after generation praises your works and proclaims your might. 5 They speak of the splendor of your glorious majesty and tell of your wondrous works. (R) 10 Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you. 11 Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might. (R)

Jesus is transfigured on the mountaintop with Moses and Elijah. They symbolize the Law and the Prophets. Jesus is the culmination of both the Law and the Prophets. Through Him we see both the juridical and prophetic heritage of our faith. United with Jesus, Moses and Elijah are available to us through faith. We have in full what God offers us, if only we humbly ask for it.

The heavens were opened and the voice of the Father thundered: This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.

2 Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 4 Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with  Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. 7 Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” 8 Suddenly, looking around, the disciples no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant. 11 Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12 He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things, yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

think: Who are the three people you want to bring up the mountain to meet God? Why?

Read the Bible in one year  Ephesians 1-3

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

LISTENING TO JESUS

The Transfiguration is a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. From Mount Tabor, Jesus prays and the heavenly Father responds with an impressive theophany. The heavenly Father manifested Himself with signs that are characteristic of Him in the Old Testament: an overshadowing cloud and a powerful voice. Aside from affirming Jesus, the heavenly Father says we do not just need to behold Jesus as the unique Son, but we have to listen to Him.

        Jesus as the Father’s personal messenger. He is called “My beloved Son.” Now the message is no longer the words mediated by prophets or the dreams mediated by angels. Now the word is incarnate in a person. In this way, Jesus’ entire human existence — His words and His works; His attitude manifested to the poor and the sinners; His lifestyle of poverty and work; His fellowshipping with people of ill repute; His embrace of God’s will in deep obedience until death — is now the message. The Word has become Flesh.

      Jesus as the Father’s “beloved.” Jesus is the primary illustration of one truly filled and saturated with God’s love. This love made Jesus confident in all He did for His mission. This love made Jesus strong in the face of human opposition, overflowing with mercy and compassion for all.

     Jesus as “the Son.” We are all adopted children of God through baptism. Jesus shows the way to being truly children of God. His love for the Father is expressed in an unconditional fidelity to all that the Father wanted. His love for the Father makes Him willing to learn from Moses and Elijah. Both were great servants of God’s work. Moses reluctantly led the stiff-necked Israelites from slavery in Egypt to covenant with God at Sinai. Elijah was a great champion of Yahweh’s divine sovereignty in a time of paganism. Both suffered greatly, both trusted in God beyond their own questions and complaints, and both were rewarded by an ascension to the Father’s house. Childhood in God is to be taught in this way. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

---------- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ----------

What is your personal struggle about listening to Jesus? What about Jesus is hard for you to follow? Pray for the grace of true childhood in God. Pray for humility, for submission and obedience, for faithful love and devotion.

Remind me always, Lord, to listen to You and to obey You as a child does. Amen.