I will turn 60 this year. Yep, I’m getting old. And there are times when it gets difficult for me to remember people’s names and places I’ve been to. I do physical and mental exercises because those who have a healthier bodies have a healthier minds. I’m doing what I can to avoid dementia.

But there’s also spiritual dementia—when you forget four important things. First, you forget who you are—that you’re a child of God and you are His favored one. When we have trials, it’s so easy to forget who we are. Second, you forget where you live—and it’s in God’s family. Sometimes, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of daily life, you stray away from the Church. Third, you forget why you exist. We’re on earth for something far bigger than our own interests. Fourth, you forget to whom you belong. We forget that everything belongs to God.

But even if you forget, God always remembers. He doesn’t forget you and the promises He made. He is faithful. 

Bo Sanchez (bosanchez@kerygmafamily.com)

reflect

Which of the four important truths mentioned above do you tend to forget?

Lord, help me to always remember that I am Yours. Amen.

St. David of Wales, bishop, pray for us.

First Reading | Genesis 12:1-4

Abram is not given much to go on. God makes three promises to him that might seem impossible to fulfill at the time. However, Abram is not daunted. He obeys the Lord’s commands, setting out from his homeland in modern-day Northern Iraq, and following where God leads him. How willing are we to follow God’s call like Abram did?

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.

Responsorial 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) 

Second Reading | 2 Timothy 1:8-10

Timothy must have had a difficult time leading the Church in Ephesus. So, Paul encourages him to stand firm and believe in his calling. Even though Timothy is young and neither the wisest nor the smartest person in the community, what matters is that God has called him for a mission and gives him the grace to make it possible.

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.

Gospel | Matthew 17:1-9

The transfiguration of Jesus is an event that inspires and assures the disciples of His identity as the Son of God. It would have been difficult for anyone to believe this about Jesus. Think of this: If you were standing in the presence of God’s only Son, would you easily believe it is Him?

Gospel Acclamation

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

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

What passages in the Scriptures and teachings of the Church convinced you that Jesus is the Son of God?

Read the Bible in one year! Read 1 JOHN 1 - 5 today.

Glory through the Cross

Last year, I started trying to regain a lost hobby: hiking. The experience is, in itself, always a combo of highs and lows. The exhausting ascent, the internal monologue of endless whys, the real occasional dangers —but when the summit is reached, the struggle suddenly makes sense.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. Overwhelmed, Peter suggested pitching three tents (perhaps hoping to extend the profound encounter). But Jesus instructed them to keep the Transfiguration a secret until after His resurrection.

Why should such a powerful moment remain unspoken? Because without the Passion, the Transfiguration is incomplete. Without the cross, they will misunderstand the glory they have seen.

Simply put: the disciples were not ready. At this point in the Gospel, they still resist the idea of a suffering Messiah. They expect triumph without sacrifice, victory without pain. If they were to proclaim this vision now, they would do so with that wrong understanding. It is only after His death and resurrection that they will truly understand this key truth: the path to glory is through the cross. Only then will they be ready to share what they have seen. The timing matters.

There are moments when we, too, long for clarity, certainty, and the assurance of God’s presence. At times, He grants us glimpses of His glory, but these moments are not meant to be permanent refuges. Like the disciples, we must descend the mountain. The experience is not given so we can cling to it, but so we can carry it with us when the journey becomes difficult.

The Transfiguration reminds us that God’s timing is perfect. The disciples had to wait to understand and to speak. We, too, must learn to trust in His wisdom—listening, following, and waiting for the moment when all things are made clear. When the time comes, may we be ready to witness to His glory—not apart from the cross, but through it.

Fr. Albert Garong, SSP

reflection questions

How have you been impatient with God? How do you grow in deeper trust in His perfect timing?

Lord, keep me aware of my limited vision and Your perfect timing. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ________________________________________________