Psalter: Week 2 / (Green/White)
Memorial of Blessed Virgin Mary
Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 10-11
I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
1st Reading: Heb 11:1-7
Faith is the assurance of what we hope for, being certain of what we cannot see. Because of their faith, our ancestors were approved.
By faith, we understand that the stages of creation were disposed by God’s word, and what is visible came from what cannot be seen.
Because of Abel’s faith his offering was more acceptable than that of his brother Cain, which meant he was upright, and God, himself, approved his offering. Because of this faith he cried to God, as said in Scripture, even after he died.
By faith, Enoch was taken to heaven, instead of experiencing death: he could not be found, because God had taken him. In fact, it is said, that before being taken up, he had pleased God. Yet, without faith, it is impossible to please him: no one draws near to God, without first believing, that he exists, and that he rewards those who seek him earnestly.
By faith, Noah was instructed of events which could not yet be seen and, heeding what he heard, he built a boat, in which to save his family. The faith of Noah condemned the world, and he reached holiness, born of faith.
Gospel: Mk 9:2-13
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain. There, his appearance was changed before their eyes. Even his clothes shone, becoming as white as no bleach of this world could make them. Elijah and Moses appeared to them; the two were talking with Jesus.
Then Peter spoke and 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.“ For he did not know what to say: they were overcome with awe. But a cloud formed, covering them in a shadow, and from the cloud came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved: listen to him!“ And suddenly, as they looked around, they no longer saw anyone except Jesus with them.
As they came down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept this to themselves, although they discussed with one another what ‘to rise from the dead’ could mean.
Finally they asked him, “Why, then, do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?“ Jesus answered them, “Of course Elijah will come first, so that everything may be as it should be. But why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be despised? I tell you that Elijah has already come; and they have treated him as they pleased, as the Scriptures say of him.“
REFLECTION:
Journeying in Faith
The letter to the Hebrews reminds us that we journey in Faith, just like our ancestors in the Faith. In the encyclical “Lumen Fidei“ (the unique document of two Popes–Benedict and Francis), we are told that Faith illumines the path of believers. It was Faith that led Abraham, Moses, and the Israelites to the Promised Land. It was Faith that made the Magi kneel before the infant in Bethlehem. It was Faith that made the Martyrs face death bravely and with joy! It will be Faith also that will make the Christian of today stand firm in the Faith against all the attack leveled at the Church and her teachings!
Faith is trusting that our God cannot lie. Though at times our reason cannot fathom the ways of God, yet do we remain faithful for we are certain that God wills what is good for us. Though we walk through the valley of death we will not be afraid because Jesus, our Good Shepherd will be there to see us through (see Ps 23).
Perhaps today might be a good time to renew our Faith in our faithful God. We may tell Him our troubles and worries, our difficulties and frustrations. And we can sing “Be not afraid, I go before you always. Come follow me, and I will give you rest
Daily Reflection
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
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