Transfiguration of the Lord Year A 2023

In a world of transitory kingdoms and rulers our three readings present Jesus as the incarnate God who is universal and eternal ruler, as the already inaugurated emperor who will be revealed at the end of time, and as the divine son doing the will of the father who is in continuity with but eclipses the Hebrew saints and so should be listened to now, even if the vision should not be talked about. This should drive us to meditation on these unseen realities and fill us with hope and obedience.

Notes

Transcript

Title

Transfiguration - Seeing Reality as It Is

Outline

Listen to the news or read history books

This or that man is the most powerful on earth

This or that kingdom or nation is the embodiment of power - remember Hitler called his nation “The Third Kingdom,” the first two being Rome and the Holy Roman Empire.

What we know is that the men (or women) will die, some sooner, some later, and the kingdoms will crumble

Our faith is rooted in the eternal that already is; watch how it develops

Daniel makes it clear who is the eternal and universal ruler

“The Ancient of Days” pictures the Father as eternal, beyond time, and all-powerful - one must meditate on the picture.

“The one like a son of man” or “the one like a human” is “presented” and receives “dominion, splendor, and kingship; all nations, peoples and tongues will serve him,” a rule that lasts eternally. Here is what God was not but now is in that the incarnation happened in time, who receives eternal and universal rule.

2 Peter indicates that Peter was present when this rule was inaugurated

He says that “we” were present when “he [Jesus] 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.”” Thus “the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” has already been inaugurated before witnesses and only awaits its unveiling. That for 2 Peter is the meaning of the Transfiguration. And since we know this and can meditate on it, it gives hope to all of our lives.

Matthew wants us to know that Jesus is emperor and that we should obey him now

Jesus’ true nature shines through his humble clothing with Moses and Elijah as courtiers pointing to his continuity with and fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures. Peter grasps that and wants to set up the foundation of the eschatological headquarters with not one tent, one tabernacle, but three - prophet, priest, and king perhaps.

The theophanic voice informs them that Jesus is not just “great David’s greater son” but the Divine Son - already - “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Moses and Elijah fade and there is only One to whom the three Apostles are supposed to listen, the One who has all authority and yet chooses to veil his being even after the transfiguration because he is the beloved Son following the divine plan and so the one with whom the Father is “well pleased.”

Jesus, the Son, speaks the words that follow a theophany, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”

Sisters, I have tried to lay out three aspects of the Transfiguration presented in our three readings

In reality any attempt to grasp the Transfiguration must be in picture language, in metaphor, for it reveals the unseen real, the timeless and unbounded real and yet was encapsulated in an event for each author, for one a visionary event and for two an open-eyed vision in an earthly context.

These call us to two things: (1) to meditate on these visions so that they sink into us and become part of our worldview and (2) to live realizing that all power and pomp around us is relativized since Jesus is already the great universal Lord and so to live in hope waiting for what already is to be revealed openly, for the daystar to rise, and especially to do the one thing necessary, to listen to him (obey his teaching) for we know, really know, who he is.

Readings

Catholic Daily Readings 8-6-2023: Transfiguration of the Lord

FIRST READING

Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14

9 As I watched,

Thrones were set up

and the Ancient of Days took his throne.

His clothing was white as snow,

the hair on his head like pure wool;

His throne was flames of fire,

with wheels of burning fire.

10 A river of fire surged forth,

flowing from where he sat;

Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,

and myriads upon myriads stood before him.

The court was convened, and the books were opened.

13 As the visions during the night continued, I saw coming with the clouds of heaven

One like a son of man.

When he reached the Ancient of Days

and was presented before him,

14 He received dominion, splendor, and kingship;

all nations, peoples and tongues will serve him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion

that shall not pass away,

his kingship, one that shall not be destroyed.

RESPONSE

Psalm 97:1a, 9a

1 The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;

let the many islands be glad.

9 For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,

exalted far above all gods.

Catholic Daily Readings 8-6-2023: Transfiguration of the Lord

PSALM

Psalm 97:1–2, 5–6, 9

1 The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;

let the many islands be glad.

2 Cloud and darkness surround him;

justice and right are the foundation of his throne.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,

before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his justice;

all peoples see his glory.

9 For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,

exalted far above all gods.

Catholic Daily Readings 8-6-2023: Transfiguration of the Lord

SECOND READING

2 Peter 1:16–19

16 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.

Catholic Daily Readings 8-6-2023: Transfiguration of the Lord

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 17:5c

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.”

GOSPEL

Matthew 17:1–9

1 After six days 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.”

Notes

Catholic Daily Readings 8-6-2023: Transfiguration of the Lord

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2023 | FEAST

TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD

YEAR A | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14

Response Psalm 97:1a, 9a

Psalm Psalm 97:1–2, 5–6, 9

Second Reading 2 Peter 1:16–19

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 17:5c

Gospel Matthew 17:1–9

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