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Catholic Daily Liturgical Guide 13.03.2022

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Catholic Daily Liturgical Guide 13.03.2022

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Genesis 15:5–12, 17–18

The Lord God took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness.

He then said to him, “I am the LORD who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land as a possession.” “O Lord GOD,” he asked, “how am I to know that I shall possess it?” He answered him, “Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” Abram brought him all these, split them in two, and placed each half opposite the other; but the birds he did not cut up. Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, but Abram stayed with them. As the sun was about to set, a trance fell upon Abram, and a deep, terrifying darkness enveloped him.

When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch, which passed between those pieces. It was on that occasion that the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, the Euphrates.”

RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 27:1, 7–8, 8–9, 13–14 (1a)

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Hear, O LORD, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. Of you my heart speaks; you my glance seeks.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Your presence, O LORD, I seek. Hide not your face from me; do not in anger repel your servant. You are my helper: cast me not off.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.

R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

SECOND READING (Long Form)
Philippians 3:17—4:1

Join with others in being imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and observe those who thus conduct themselves according to the model you have in us. For many, as I have often told you and now tell you even in tears, conduct themselves as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction. Their God is their stomach; their glory is in their “shame.” Their minds are occupied with earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord.

or:

SECOND READING (Short Form)
Philippians 3:20—4:1

Brothers and sisters:
Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.

VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL
see Matthew 17:5

From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard: This is my beloved Son, hear him.

HOLY GOSPEL
Luke 9:28b–36

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying, his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, t…
REFLECTION: JOY OF THE TRANSFIGURATION

Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Luke 9:33)


Peter was excited, perhaps beyond any excitement he had experienced before. In fact, to say he was excited is most certainly an understatement. It may be more appropriate to say that he was overwhelmed! Why was this the case? Because he had just been given a very small glimpse of the glory and splendor of God!

This is the Transfiguration. Jesus took Peter, James and John and they went up a high mountain together. These three Apostles had no idea what was coming. Most likely while on the way they were complaining interiorly, wondering why they had to go up the mountain. But the mountain is a symbol of our upward journey to Heaven. It takes focus and drive, commitment and resolve to go there, and it’s an elevated place, a place away from the ordinary occurrences of life.

So they were on this difficult climb up the mountain and suddenly they stopped in shock and awe. They saw before their eyes Jesus changed in a glorious way, His clothing being whiter than any white they had ever seen. And Moses and Elijah, the great Law-giver and the great Prophet, were there before them conversing with Jesus.

And what was going on in Peter’s head? What was he experiencing? He was experiencing a small glimpse of the glory and splendor of God. Jesus, who up until this moment had kept His divinity veiled, lifted the veil ever so slightly. And with the lifting of that veil, His divinity shone through brighter than anything this world could ever contain. And Peter, James and John did not know what to think. But Peter cried out that he wanted to build three tents, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah! For within that momentary experience, he experienced the desire to remain there forever.

So why did Jesus give these Apostles this very brief experience of His glory?

Because they would need that taste of His goodness for the road ahead. They would need to forever remember what their final destiny was. They would need to hold this experience close as they endured the many crosses and sufferings ahead. And they would use this experience to remind themselves that whatever they had to endure on the journey up the mountain of life is worth it. Because on the summit is a glory so great that no hardship they would have to endure would ever prove to be too big.

God wants to give that message to us through them. He wants us to ponder this experience they had and He wants us to try to enter into it so that we too can willingly press on during the journey.

Reflect, today, at the beginning of Lent, on the glory of God that makes the crosses we endure all worth it. Take advantage of this experience of Peter, James and John and try to make their experience your own. Be consoled by God’s glory and never forget that this is the ultimate promise He gives to all who press on.

PRAYER:
Lord, may I be consoled by Your glory and splendor. May I believe in this glory and keep it ever in my mind as I press on through the hardships and challenges I face. You travel the road ahead of me and You will lead me on my journey if I only trust in You. Jesus, I do trust in You!https://masvingomirror.com

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