Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection August 06, 2025
Wednesday – Transfiguration of the Lord
06th August 2025 (Wednesday)
Psalter: Proper
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 (R. see 1a, 9b)
R/. The Lord is king, most high above all the earth.
Second Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-19
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 were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honour and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”, we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 9:28b-36
At that time: Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Wednesday – Transfiguration of the Lord
Main Point: God allows some occasions of glory and transfigured visions in our life, to boost up our drooping spirits, and to remind us of our eternal destiny of glory
1. On mount Tabor, in the presence of three disciples, Jesus was transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. Moses and Elijah appear talkito be ng with him.
2. The purpose of the transfiguration of Jesus is not a power display, not a show of self-glory, not winning the best impressions of his three disciples. The simplest reason is that Jesus is never a showman. He never seeks self-glory but only the Father’s glory. He is least concerned about the human impressions because he knows the humans well.
3. The key purpose of the event of transfiguration is to strengthen the faith of the disciples. Especially when they have to go through the turbulent times of the ignominy of the cross, they should be strong and deep-rooted.
4. Otherwise, they would easily lose their feet, be shattered and give up their journey. The wonderful transfiguration experience would keep their faith alive and renew it. It would assure and encourage them that Jesus, who will suffer helplessly, is not a helpless, weak human being.
5. He is not forced to meet a fateful destiny out of inability, but it is all in perfect symphony with God’s will and plan of salvation. Jesus, who is their master, is the real Christ, the awaited Messiah. He is the Son of God, vested with power and glory.
6. His face and his clothes shone with brilliant light. This signifies radiance and vibrance. Thus, the experience of transfiguration is essentially the change of life to be radiant and vibrant. We, too, are called to shine, that is, to be radiant and vibrant. A life that is lacklustre and lethargic is not transfigured but only a disfigured one.
7. Face and clothes together imply the whole person. Face points to the interior, as it is said that the face is the index of the soul. Clothes represent the exterior. Thereby, the shining of both indicates that any real change must comprise both the interior and the exterior. Our interior must change and it must be reflected in the exterior life of radiance and vibrance.
8. Jesus meets Moses and Elijah. Moses would signify the Law and Elijah, the prophets. Accordingly, the meeting of Jesus with Moses and Elijah can signify that Jesus is the encounter, the meeting point with the Law and the Prophets. In other words, Jesus is the culmination and the fulfillment of the whole Old Testament. One who meets Jesus lives the law and as a prophet.
9. Peter exclaims, Lord, it is so nice to be here, and I will make three tents, one for Jesus and the other two, for Moses and Elijah. It shows the overwhelming and relishing experience of the vision and the glory of the Lord.
10. It recalls the excited sentiment of the psalmist, “I rejoiced when I heard the people saying, let us go to the house of the Lord; or, one day within your house is equal to a thousand elsewhere.” If just a few moments in the presence of the transfigured Lord can be so awe-enveloping, then can we imagine what an infinite joy it will be in eternal glory!
11. The Father’s voice from heaven arrests and summons, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him”. This shows the intimate union between the Father and the Son.
12. In Jesus, we have the surest guide to listen to and follow, because he is so pleasing to the Father. He listens to the Father and obeys Him. And so, if we listen to him, we are for sure on the path to heaven and reach heavenly glory.
My Practice: A constant thought of heaven can keep us not to be entangled in the realms of the earth. Experiences of light and glory can help us to move through the shades of darkness and misery
