Liturgical Colour : White
Luke 11 : 27-28
At that time, as Jesus was speaking, a woman spoke from the crowd and said to Him, “Blessed is the one who gave You birth and nursed You!”
Jesus replied, “Truly blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it as well.”
Liturgical Colour : White
1 Corinthians 15 : 54b-57
When our mortal being puts on immortality, the word of Scripture will be fulfilled : Death has been swallowed up by victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?
Sin is the sting of death, to kill, and the Law is what gives force to sin. But give thanks to God, Who gives us the victory, through Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Liturgical Colour : White
Psalm 131 : 6-7, 9-10, 13-14
Then came the news, “The Ark is in Ephrata, we found it in the fields of Jaar.” Let us go to where He dwells and worship at His footstool!
May Your priests be arrayed in glorious mantle; may Your faithful ones shout in gladness. For the sake of Your servant, David, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed.
For YHVH has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling : “This is My resting place forever; this I prefer; here, will I dwell.”
Liturgical Colour : White
1 Chronicles 15 : 3-4, 15-16 and 1 Chronicles 16 : 1-2
Then David gathered all Israel together in Jerusalem to bring the Ark of God up to the place he had prepared for it. David called together the sons of Aaron and the sons of Levi. And the Levites carried the Ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had ordered according to the command of YHVH.
David then told the leaders of the Levites to assign duties for some Levites to sing and play a joyful tune with their various musical instruments : harps and lyres and cymbals. They brought the Ark of God in and put it inside the tent that David had prepared for it; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to God.
And when David had finished offering the sacrifices, he blessed the people in the Name of YHVH.
Liturgical Colour : White
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today the Church celebrates the great Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, marking the moment when Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of Man, was transfigured or transformed before the sight of three of His own disciples, the members of His innermost circle, namely St. Peter, St. James and St. John. This occurrence happened at Mount Tabor in Galilee, in the northern part of the land of Israel. This event is very important indeed because it was at this moment that the disciples, three among them to be precise, came to know more about the truth behind the identity of their Master Whom they had been following all the while. Christ revealed Himself to be not merely just like any other man, but that He indeed came from Heaven itself.
Let us all then first look upon the Scripture readings we have heard from today. First of all, the first reading from the Book of Daniel highlighted to us the vision that Daniel received from the Lord, showing a premonition of what the Lord planned to do, and part of which was revealed through Jesus Himself at Mount Tabor. The One of Great Age represents God the Father Himself, the Creator of all, Who had shown Daniel that He was giving the power and dominion to the One that looked like the Son of Man. This Son of Man is none other than Jesus Christ Himself, the Beloved Son of God begotten from Him from before all ages, co-equal and co-eternal with Him, consubstantial and united in the most loving and Holy Trinity. Essentially, Daniel received the premonition of what God had planned to do for the sake of His people, those whom He had called and chosen.
Daniel witnessed how God would send His own Begotten Son into the world to save it, to fulfil everything that He has promised to all of us mankind, to all of His servants throughout time and history, to Adam and Eve, to Noah, to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, to Moses and to David, Solomon and others throughout the history of our salvation. God has endeavoured to fulfil everything that He has said, proving that He is indeed ever faithful to the Covenant that He had made with us, and He has always been truthful in all things, not making empty promises in what He had vowed to deliver to us. He sent unto us His Son, to embrace our humanity and human nature, so that He might manifest unto us perfectly the Love that He has always had for us for all eternity, and reach out to us all with this most generous Love that He has always lavished on us.
Then from our alternative first reading, that is usually read as the second reading, from the Epistle of St. Peter the Apostle, we heard of the testimony of St. Peter himself speaking about his experiences witnessing the Lord’s Transfiguration as it happened. St. Peter spoke of how God revealed His truth and identity, His great love manifested through His Son to the Apostles including St. Peter himself, who experienced everything in person and therefore, could testify to what had exactly happened at the moment of the Transfiguration of the Lord at Mount Tabor. He spoke of this great experience as the revelation of the great majesty and love of God, which had been made visible and tangible to us, so that God’s Love is no longer something that is beyond our reach.
At the same time, St. Peter also spoke of the transformative aspect of the Transfiguration, as this Transfiguration of the Lord and the decision that the Lord had undertaken in embracing our humanity and becoming one like us in fact is a revelation that we too shall share in the glory that is to come, the glory which Christ Our Transfigured Lord has shown us Himself. As He revealed His Divine glory clad in the flesh of His humanity, Christ revealed to all of us through the three disciples, as we heard in our Gospel passage today from the Gospel according to St. Luke the Evangelist, that He is truly more than just a mere Man, but that He is also God Himself, the Divine Word of God, the Son of God incarnate in the flesh, having in Himself, in His one Person, two distinct and yet inseparable natures, of Divine and Man.
Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus there at Mount Tabor as a symbolic revelation of the truth about the Lord Himself and His ministry in this world. This is because Moses is the representation of the Law of God, which God first revealed to His people at the time after their Exodus from Egypt through Moses, and he was also representing God’s Covenant with His people. Meanwhile, Elijah was widely considered as one of the greatest among the prophets, and hence he represents the Prophets of God. Hence, the appearance of Moses and Elijah at the moment of the Lord’s Transfiguration represents Him as the fulfilment and the perfection of the Law and the Prophets of God, in how He would reveal the true intention and meaning of the Law, and fulfilling everything that God had told to His people through His prophets.
And by uniting His Divinity to His humanity, the Lord Jesus, our Transfigured Lord showed unto us the preview of what we ourselves are meant to be, when we shall also be glorified and triumphant at the end of our earthly journey and waiting, when at the end of time we shall enjoy forever the eternal glory and life with God, with our own transfigured and glorified bodies, united with our souls, no longer bound to sin or the world, when we become once again pure and immaculate, full of God’s grace just as He has intended all of us to be. And this is what we are all called to look forward to, to look forward to be reunited with the Lord, and to reclaim once again our true inheritance, full of God’s glory and grace, to be transfigured like the Lord and to share in His inheritance, enjoying forever the fruits of our faith in Him.
Let us all therefore commit ourselves from now on to a renewed existence in our faithful dedication and trust in the Lord. Let us do our very best so that in each and every moments of our lives, we will always do what is right and just in accordance with the Lord’s teachings and His ways. Let us all be the beacons of God’s light, the worthy bearers of His Good News and truth to all the whole world. Let us all not be complacent in life or be idle, but let us all be truly committed to our Lord and God at all times. May the Lord Jesus Christ, Our Transfigured Lord, continue to inspire us all through His love for us, and help us all in our journey of faith and life, blessing us in our every good efforts, works and endeavours, now and always. Amen.
Liturgical Colour : White
Luke 9 : 28b-36
At that time, six days after Jesus predicted His own death, He took with Him Peter and James and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain, where they were alone. Jesus’ appearance was changed before them : His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became bright as light. Just then Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.
Peter spoke and said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. If You wish, I will make three tents : one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter was still speaking, when a bright cloud covered them with its shadow, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My Son, the Beloved, My Chosen One. Listen to Him.”
On hearing the voice, the disciples fell to the ground, full of fear. But Jesus came, touched them and said, “Stand up, do not be afraid.” When they raised their eyes, they no longer saw anyone except Jesus. And as they came down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what they had just seen, until the Son of Man be raised from the dead.
Liturgical Colour : White
Psalm 96 : 1-2, 5-6, 9
YHVH reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the distant islands be glad. Clouds and darkness surround Him; justice and right, are His throne.
The mountains melt like wax before YHVH, the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim His justice, all peoples see His glory.
For You are the Master of the universe, exalted far above all gods.
Liturgical Colour : White
Daniel 7 : 9-10, 13-14
I looked and saw the following : Some thrones were set in place and One of Great Age took His seat. His robe was white, as snow, His hair, white as washed wool. His throne was flames of fire with wheels of blazing fire. A river of fire sprang forth and flowed before Him. Thousands upon thousands served Him and a countless multitude stood before Him.
Those in the tribunal took their seats and opened the book. I continued watching the nocturnal vision : One like a Son of Man came on the clouds of heaven. He faced the One of Great Age and was brought into His presence. Dominion, honour and kingship were given Him, and all the peoples and nations of every language served Him. His dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; His kingdom will never be destroyed.
Alternative reading (Second Reading if this Feast is celebrated as a Solemnity)
2 Peter 1 : 16-19
Indeed, what we taught you about the power, and the return of Christ Jesus our Lord, was not drawn from myths or formulated theories. We, ourselves, were eyewitnesses of His majesty, when He received glory and honour from God, the Father, when, from the magnificent glory, this most extraordinary word came upon Him : “This is My beloved Son, this is My Chosen One.”
We, ourselves, heard this voice from heaven, when we were with Him on the holy mountain. Therefore, we believe most firmly in the message of the prophets, which you should consider rightly, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the break of day, when the Morning Star shines in your hearts.
Liturgical Colour : White
Offertory
Psalm 111 : 3
Gloria et divitiae in domo Ejus : et justitia Ejus manet in saeculum saeculi. Alleluja.
English translation
Glory and wealth are in His house, and His justice remains forever and ever. Alleluia.
Secret Prayer of the Priest
Oblata, quaesumus, Domine, munera gloriosi Unigeniti Tui Transfiguratione sanctifica : nosque a peccatorum maculis, splendoribus ipsius illustrationis emunda. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
English translation
Sanctify, we beseech You, o Lord, the gifts offered on the glorious Transfiguration of Your only begotten Son, and by the splendours of that very illumination cleanse us from the stains of our sins. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
Alternative Secret Prayer of the Priest (Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs)
Munera Tibi, Domine, nostrae devotionis offerimus : quae et pro Tuorum tibi gratia sint honore justorum, et nobis salutaria, Te miserante, reddantur. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
English translation
We offer You, o Lord, the gifts of our devotion. May they be rendered both pleasing unto You, for the honour of Your just ones, and to us through Your mercy, helpful to salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
Communion
Matthew 17 : 9
Visionem, quam vidistis, nemini dixeritis, donec a mortuis resurgat Filius hominis.
English translation
Tell the vision you have seen to no man, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.
Post-Communion Prayer
Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus : ut sacrosancta Filii Tui Transfigurationis mysteria, quae sollemni celebramus officio, purificata mentis intellegentia consequamur. Per eumdem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
English translation
Grant, we beseech You, o Almighty God, that with the understanding of a purified mind we may follow those sacred mysteries of Your Son’s Transfiguration which we celebrate with our solemn office. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
Alternative Post-Communion Prayer (Commemoration of the Holy Martyrs)
Praesta nobis, quaesumus, Domine : intercedentibus sanctis Martyribus Tuis Xysto, Felicissimo et Agapito; ut, quod ore contingimus, pura mente capiamus. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.
English translation
Grant us, we beseech You, o Lord, by the intercession of Your holy Martyrs, Sixtus, Felicissimus and Agapitus, that what we touch with our lips we may receive with a pure heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
Liturgical Colour : White
Sequentia Sancti Evangelii secundum Matthaeum – Continuation of the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew
Matthew 17 : 1-9
In illo tempore : Assumpsit Jesus Petrum, et Jacobum, et Joannem fratrem ejus, et duxit illos in montem excelsum seorsum : et transfiguratus est ante eos. Et resplenduit facies Ejus sicut sol : vestimenta autem Ejus facta sunt alba sicut nix.
Et ecce, apparuerunt illis Moyses et Elias cum Eo loquentes. Respondens autem Petrus, dixit ad Jesum : Domine, bonum est nos hic esse : si vis, faciamus hic tria tabernacula, Tibi unum, Moysi unum et Eliae unum.
Adhuc eo loquente, ecce, nubes lucida obumbravit eos. Et ecce vox de nube, dicens : Hic est Filius Meus dilectus, in quo Mihi bene complacui : ipsum audite. Et audientes discipuli, ceciderunt in faciem suam, et timuerunt valde.
Et accesit Jesus, et tetigit eos, dixitque eis : Surgite, et nolite timere. Levantes autem oculos suos, neminem viderunt nisi solum Jesum. Et descendentibus illis de monte, praecepit eis Jesus, dicens : Nemini dixeritis visionem, donec Filius hominis a mortuis resurgat.
English translation
At that time, Jesus took Peter, James and John, his brother, and bringing them up into a high mountain apart, and He was transfigured before them. And His facecdod shine as the sun, and His garments became white as snow.
And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah talking with Him. And Peter answering, said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here, if You will, let us make here three tents, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them, and lo, a voice out of the cloud saying, “This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased, listen to Him.” And the disciples hearing this, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid.
And Jesus came and touched them, and said to them, “Arise, and do not fear.” And they lifting up their eyes saw no one, but only Jesus. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, “Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.”
petercanisiusmichaeldavidkang 