GOD’S PLAN IS ALWAYS BETTER 

The Lord said to Abram: Go forth from your land, your relatives, and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. – Genesis 12:1

But months after our wedding, we had a lot of unexpected expenses that disrupted our finances. One day, it just hit us that we could no longer pay for the condo. Pushing for our dream would not only cost us money but could possibly cost us our relationship.

A few months later, we found ourselves living in a beautiful condo in a premier location.

Yes, we were able to rent a beautiful place. It was God’s version of our dream. It was still our dream condo but minus the loans and the possible sacrifices at stake. Tintin M. Taton (kristinetaton@ gmail.com)

Reflect: Is God leading you somewhere that seems out of your plan?

Teach me to surrender, Lord, as Your plans are better than mine.

St. Stephen of Obazine, martyrs, pray for us.

The recorded history of the Bible begins with today’s reading. God’s promise to Abraham is the basis of the Jewish way of life to this day. The promises of land, blessing, and progeny are still at the heart of Jewish self- understanding and self-determination. As Christians, we believe that God fulfills these promises through Christ spiritually by opening heaven, by the blessing of the Holy Spirit, and by making us all sons and daughters of the Father.

Genesis 12:1-4

1 The Lord said to Abram: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you. 2 “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.” 4 Abram went as the Lord directed him.

PSALM

Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

R: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

4 Upright is the word of the Lord, and all his works are trustworthy. 5 He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full. (R) 18 See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, 19 to deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine. (R) 20 Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield. 22 May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you. (R)

2 Timothy 1:8-10

8 Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. 9 He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

The Father validates the existence and mission of Jesus. This rite of passage affirms Jesus’ identity and worth as the Father’s Son. We all need such an affirmation from our parents. Our parents play an important formative role in our lives. A failure on their part may cause us to have a difficult time growing into adulthood.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard: This is my beloved Son, hear him.

Matthew 17:1-9

1 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” 8 And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Reflect: How has Jesus revealed Himself to you? What was your “transfiguration” experience?

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