I encountered God in the most powerful way when I was 14 years old during a Youth Life in the Spirit Seminar. The weeks of shepherding sessions prior to the YLSS Weekend introduced me to God’s  love and gift of salvation. Through Scripture and prayer, I got to know a God who is personal and loving, who saw all my insecurities yet still recognized the beauty in me.

On the night of the Baptism in the Spirit, as I was led through a prayer of surrender, unstoppable tears flowed down my face. In the light of His magnificent presence, I saw myself broken, in so much need of healing, ashamed of my many sins. My shepherd saw me sobbing. She lifted my chin and said, “Look up! Look to Jesus!” And so I cried even more, looked up, and stretched out my arms to accept Him into my life.

That day, I met my beautiful glorious Lord, and through His gentle touch, my own transfiguration began. The little-bylittle change happens every day, and although there are times I fall, I know I can get up and need not be afraid. 

Geraldine G. Catral (ggabrielcatral@gmail.com) 

reflect

How is God revealing Himself to you and calling you to be more like Him?

How lovely it is to be in Your presence, oh Lord. May I continue to change for the better through Your powerful transforming love.

Saint Hormisdas, pope, pray for us.

First Reading | Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Fire, light, visions, clouds, and other images often signify an epiphany. The Transfiguration is a profound manifestation of Jesus’ Lordship. Peter, James, and John were uniquely privileged to witness this revelation—a moment that would remain with them forever, affirming their conviction about Jesus’ identity in a new and transformative way. 

⁹ As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. ¹⁰ A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. ¹³ As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; when he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, ¹⁴ the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away; his kingship shall not be destroyed.

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9

R: The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

¹ The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. ² Clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. (R) ⁵ The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. ⁶ The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. (R) ⁹ Because you, O Lord, are the Most High over all the earth, exalted far above all gods. (R)    

Second Reading (Optional*) | 2 Peter 1:16-19

Peter expresses it well in words that could have been: “We have witnessed these things with our own eyes and are utterly convinced that what we proclaim is the truth.” Likewise, we, too, have seen the power of God at work—both in our lives and in the lives of others. May this deepen our conviction that the Gospel is the way of truth and embolden us to proclaim it wherever we go.

¹⁶ Beloved: We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” ¹⁸ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. ¹⁹ Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Gospel | Matthew 17:1-9 

The appearance of Moses and Elijah may have been the most astonishing part of the experience for the disciples. These were two major figures of the Old Testament and the Jewish faith—and they saw them with their own eyes. There is no way they will forget this moment. Like all times of revelation, we should remember them for what they are—moments that change us for the better, moments that mark turning points in our lives.

Gospel Acclamation

This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. 

¹ Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, 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.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read 1 MACCABEES 13 - 14 today.

Jesus’ Transfiguration

The Transfiguration of Jesus is one of those moments in His life that bears witness to His divinity. There could be no doubt in the minds of Peter, James, and John—witnesses to this event—of the divinity of Jesus. There are no stronger witnesses to the work of God within the history of the Jews as the persons of Moses and Elijah. Their appearance is nothing less than the stamp of God on the mission of Jesus. Such events are few and far between in history, so it is important that we draw the fullness of truth from them when they occur.

Moses and Elijah disappear from the Apostles’ sight after a short time, indicating that their mission is now finished and accomplished in the person of Jesus. Yes, this is an interpretation of the events, but one that has been affirmed in the writings of the Fathers of the Church and Church teaching in general. How else can it be interpreted? Moses is traditionally considered as the figure who represents the giving of the Law; and Elijah, for the work of the Spirit in the history of Israel. They are not the only proponents of the Law and the Spirit, but they are definitely remembered as the most significant ones.

Jesus reminds us elsewhere (Matthew 5:17) that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. It is also clear that He is living in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. The Church teaches that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. It is pretty clear that Jesus is not just the fulfillment of the realities of the Law and Spirit in the Old Testament, but that He and all He does is the fulfillment of the Old Testament. 

Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

reflection question

Imagine that you were with Jesus when He transfigured. How would that make you feel? 

Jesus, help me to build my life on the foundation of faith in You and all that You have done to bring salvation to humanity. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ____________________________________