Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord [614] Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 2 Peter 1:16-19; Lk 9: 28b-36

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer Click here to listen to a podcast on Catholic Comments about the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

The readings today center on the Transfiguration of the Lord, when Jesus and three of the apostles go to a mountaintop to pray. But while they are there, Jesus was transformed and there were Moses and Elijah. I always try to imagine what it must have been like for the apostles to witness these things they could not fully understand and to be so faithful. In the Gospel, the apostles had become overcome by sleep. Imagine waking to see the glory of Jesus, to see Moses and Elijah. Peter hatches a plan to put up tents for everyone. God tells them to listen to Jesus.

The Transfiguration gives the apostles a glimpse of the glory of God, a glimpse of what they have to grasp as they walk with the man who is the son of God. While we also see that glory, it also reminds us of the depth of what Jesus did when he became man and when he died on the cross.  

In the first reading, Daniel describes a remarkably similar vision of power and majesty for the son of God. In the second reading, Peter tells us that he is not just repeating myths of glory and majesty: He saw the glory and majesty as an eyewitness. We may not be on that mountaintop, but we can believe.  Peter tell us: “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.”

That’s my prayer for today. I want to be attentive to Jesus as the son of God. When I am in a dark place, I want to open my heart to see the lamp shining, the day dawning and the morning star rising.