This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks willtake you to additional translations of today’s readings, other relevant scriptures, and other resources scriptures addressing related principles. Text highlighted in yellow tells us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. Text in green tells us about something God wants us to do. Commentary is in blue.
As I watched: Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was bright as snow, and the hair on his head as white as wool; his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. 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.
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,the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship; all peoples, nations, and languages serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.
R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth, exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
This description, and the rest of today’s readings, reveal that Jesus/God is truly awesome. It is no wonder that humans are overcome with fear when they encounter/realize that aspect of His nature, as illustrated in today’s gospel.
But as today’s psalm and the whole of the gospels reveal, God is good so we can “rejoice” and “be glad” about His awesome nature.
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. For he received honor and glory from God the Fatherwhen that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.
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.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.
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.”
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.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
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.”
As today’s other readings reveal, Jesus is truly awesome/awe inspiring. As today’s gospel and other scriptures reflect, that nature intimidates us when it is revealed to us. See Acts 9:3-5, Revelation 1:12-18.
Jesus none the less calls his disciples to fellowship with Him (as we see in today’s gospels) and in fact can be approached, as illustrated throughout the gospels and our own experience.
One of the ways we can approach Jesus is through prayer, and today’s gospel illustrates several dynamics of prayer:
- Like Jesus lead these disciples to this interaction with God, God leads us to prayer. He invites us/gives us the inclination to pray. we should not rebuff/ignore that invitation.
- Like these disciples had to exert effort to climb the mountain, we have to make genuine effort to engage in fruitful prayer. It is work, but it is well worth the effort.
- As these disciples had to get away by themselves for this interaction to occur, we generally have to get by ourselves and away from distractions to engage in fruitful prayer. See also Matthew 6:6
- God wants us to “listen to him.” We should not just talk at God in our prayer, but should listen for what He is saying to us.
- Just as this incident revealed new aspects of Jesus, the Father, and God’s plan to these disciples, prayer helps us better know God and how He is working.
- Prayer can feel awkward and scary at times, but God wants us to get past those feelings.
- We should generally not discuss/display our prayer with other. See also Matthew 6:5-6.
These and other aspects of prayer are discussed more fully at Prayer--RCIA presentation.
His clothing was bright as snow
the hair on his head as white as wool
his throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire
A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat
thousands upon thousands were ministering to him
myriads upon myriads attended him
the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him
His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The LORD is king
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD
the LORD of all the earth.
his justice
his glory.
The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth
The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
his majesty
he received honor and glory from God the Father
the majestic glory
his is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased
a lamp shining in a dark place
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased
led them up a high mountain by themselves
his face shone like the sun
his clothes became white as light
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.
Rejoice
be glad
heard this voice
You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
listen to him
by themselves
it is good that we are here
listen to him
they fell prostrate
do not be afraid
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