Jesus took Peter, James, and John
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.
And He was transfigured before them,
and His clothes became dazzling white,
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
MARK 9:2-3
This event is known as the Transfiguration of Jesus. This event is significant as it reveals Jesus’ divine nature and His fulfillment of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). The divine nature of Jesus Christ is a fundamental belief in Christianity. According to Christian doctrine, Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. This concept is also referred to as the Hypostatic Union. In John 1:1–18, it is taught that Jesus possesses every attribute that God possesses in His divine nature. This includes attributes such as omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresence, self-existence, and eternity. Jesus, the Son of God, fulfilled the Law in a way that no other could. He became the perfect sacrificial lamb, taking upon himself the world’s sins and offering redemption to all who believe in him. Jesus expounded on the deeper significance of the Law, showing us that it is not just a set of instructions, but a reflection of God’s heart and a guide for righteous living.
2 Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 4 Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. 7 Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” 8 Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant. (Mark 9:2-10)
Upon a high mountain, apart and alone, Jesus led Peter, James, and John to the unknown. Transfigured before them, His clothes dazzling white, brighter than any earthly light. Elijah and Moses appeared in sight, conversing with Jesus, radiant and bright. Peter exclaimed, "Rabbi, it's good we are here, let's make three tents, for the vision is clear." Terrified they were, knowing not what to say, as a cloud cast a shadow, turning day into gray. From the cloud came a voice, firm and clear, "This is my beloved Son. Listen and hear." Suddenly, they saw no one but Jesus, their guide, alone with them, standing by their side. Coming down from the mountain, a charge He gave to speak not of this until He rose from the grave. So they kept the matter, pondering the event,
questioning what 'rising from the dead' meant.
Dear Lord Jesus, in the presence of Peter, James, and John, You were transfigured on the mountain, Your face shone like the sun. Your clothes became dazzling white, brighter than any bleach, Elijah and Moses appeared, with You they did beseech. Peter exclaimed, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here!" but in their hearts, they held great fear. A cloud cast a shadow, and from it a voice did say, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him, do not stray." Suddenly, they saw no one but You alone, Your divine glory to them was shown. As they descended the mountain, You made a decree to tell no one until the Son of Man is free. So we pray, O Lord, for the faith to understand the mysteries of Your kingdom, the wonders of Your hand. Help us to listen to You, to follow Your command and to trust in Your promise, in Your love so grand. In Your most holy name, we pray, Amen.
This chapter is often referred to as “The Testing of Abraham” or "Abraham’s Faith Tested". In this story, God tests Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. Abraham, distraught but obedient, prepares to carry out God’s command. However, just as he is about to sacrifice Isaac, an angel of the Lord intervenes. The angel confirms that this was a test of Abraham’s devotion to God, and because Abraham did not withhold his son, he has passed the test. Abraham then sees a ram caught in a thicket and sacrifices it instead of his son. The angel of the Lord calls to Abraham a second time, promising that because of his obedience, Abraham will be blessed abundantly. His descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sands on the seashore, and all nations on earth will find blessing in his descendants. This story is a significant event in the Bible, demonstrating Abraham’s faith and obedience to God.
1 God put Abraham to the test. He called to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am!” he replied. 2 Then God said: “Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There you shall offer him up as a holocaust on a height that I will point out to you.” 9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. 10 Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the Lord’s messenger called to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered. 12 “Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. “Do not do the least thing to him. I know now how devoted you are to God, since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.” 13 As Abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son. 15 Again the Lord’s messenger called to Abraham from heaven 16 and said: “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you acted as you did in not withholding from me your beloved son, 17 I will bless you abundantly and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants shall take possession of the gates of their enemies, 18 and in your descendants all the nations of the earth shall find blessing—all this because you obeyed my command.” (Genesis 22:1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18)
In the land of Moriah, under the sky so wide, God put Abraham to the test, a trial of his faith inside. "Take your son, your only one, Isaac, whom you adore and offer him as a holocaust, on a height of yore." With a heavy heart, Abraham complied, built an altar, arranged the wood, his tears he couldn't hide. He reached out, took the knife, his resolve was firm but then a voice from heaven confirmed his term. "Abraham, Abraham!" called the Lord's messenger from above, "Do not lay your hand on the boy, let him live, let him love. I know now your devotion to God, it's clear as the dawn since you did not withhold your son, your beloved fawn." Abraham looked around, a ram caught in the thicket he found, he offered it up as a holocaust, the relief was profound. Again the messenger called, a promise divine, "Because of your act, your descendants will shine. As countless as the stars, as the sands of the seashore, they shall possess the gates of their enemies, forevermore. In your descendants, all nations shall find a blessing, all this because you obeyed my command, no second-guessing."
Dear Lord, You tested Abraham, our father in faith, called him by name, and he replied, "Here I am." You asked of him a sacrifice, a test of love and trust, and he obeyed, not understanding, but knowing he must. You pointed him to Moriah, a land so vast and wide, asked him to offer Isaac, his son, his joy, his pride. He built an altar, arranged the wood, took the knife in his hand, prepared to do as You commanded, Your wish, Your command. But then, Your messenger called from heaven, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he replied, "Here I am," his voice a gentle lamb. "Do not lay your hand on the boy," the messenger did implore, "I know now your devotion to God, it's clear, it's pure, it's raw." Abraham looked about, a ram caught in the thicket, he offered it up as a holocaust, a symbol, a ticket. Again, Your messenger called, a promise divine, "Because of your act, your descendants will shine. Countless as the stars, as the sands of the seashore, they shall possess the gates of their enemies, forevermore. In your descendants, all nations shall find a blessing, all this because you obeyed my command, no second-guessing." So we pray, Lord, for faith like Abraham, strong and true, to trust in Your plan, in all that we do. Help us to remember, in trials and in rest that You are our God, and Your plans are the best. Amen.
This Psalm is a song of thanksgiving, expressing trust in God and gratitude for His deliverance. In this Psalm, the psalmist declares their belief and trust in God, even when they are greatly afflicted. They acknowledge that they are God’s servant and express their gratitude for being freed from their bonds. They promise to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and to fulfill their vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the house of the Lord. This Psalm is a beautiful expression of faith, trust, and gratitude towards God, and it continues to inspire many people today.
10 I believed, even when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” 15 Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. 16 O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds. 17 To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. 18 My vows to the Lord I will pay in the presence of all his people, 19 in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. (Psalm 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19)
I believed, even in my deepest strife when I declared, "I am greatly afflicted." Yet in the eyes of the Lord, the end of life of His faithful ones is precious depicted. "O Lord, I am Your servant," I say, the child of Your handmaid, in Your sight. You have loosed my bonds, cleared my way in Your mercy, in Your might. To You, I offer my thanks, my praise, I call upon Your holy name in the midst of trials, of daunting days, Your love remains the same. My vows to You, O Lord, I will fulfill, in the presence of all, in Your sacred hill. In the courts of Your house, under Your sky, in Your midst, O Jerusalem, where my heart lies.
Dear Lord, I believed, even when I was greatly afflicted, Your love and mercy, never restricted. Precious in Your eyes, the death of Your faithful ones, in Your eternal kingdom, where the river of life runs. O Lord, I am Your servant, born of Your handmaid, You have loosed my bonds, brought me out of the shade. To You, I offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, in Your grace and mercy, I am living. I will call upon Your name, in joy and in sorrow for You are my yesterday, today, and tomorrow. My vows to You, O Lord, I will pay, in the presence of all Your people, come what may. In the courts of Your house, under Your heavenly dome, in Your midst, O Jerusalem, our eternal home. I pray this in Your holy name, so bright, guide us, protect us, with Your holy light. Amen.
This passage is part of a section often referred to as "More Than Conquerors". In this passage, the Apostle Paul is expressing the idea that if God is for us, no one can stand against us. He emphasizes the depth of God’s love, stating that God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all. He assures that God, who justifies us, is the one who acquits us, and no one has the power to condemn us. He further states that it is Christ Jesus, who died and was raised, is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. This passage is a powerful affirmation of God’s love and the security of believers in Christ.
31 Brothers and sisters: If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who acquits us. 34 Who will condemn? It is Christ Jesus who died—rather, was raised—who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. (Romans 8:31-34)
If God is for us, who can stand against His love and power make every defense. He did not spare His Son, but gave Him for all, in His sacrifice, we stand tall. Who can bring a charge against God's chosen ones when it is God who acquits us, under the suns? Who dares to condemn, who dares to accuse when it is Christ who intercedes, who could refuse? He was handed over, a sacrifice so pure, in His resurrection, our hope is secure. At the right hand of God, He takes His place, interceding for us, with grace upon grace. So let us remember, in trials and in rest, if God is for us, we are truly blessed.
Dear Heavenly Father, if You are for us, who can be against us? You did not spare Your own Son, but handed Him over for us all. In Your infinite love and mercy, You provide for us and with You by our side, we stand tall. Who dares to bring a charge against Your chosen ones? It is You, O Lord, who acquits us, in the light of Your Son. Who dares to condemn, when it is Christ Jesus who intercedes, He who died, was raised, and sits at Your right hand, indeed. We thank You for Your love, Your sacrifice so grand for the promise of Your presence, in this journey unplanned. Help us to trust in You, to follow Your command and to live our lives according to Your plan. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Pericope:
III: The Mystery begins to be Revealed
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS / THE COMING OF ELIJAH
Mark 9:2-8 / 9-13
II. The Patriarch Abraham
THE TESTING OF ABRAHAM
Genesis 22:1-24
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
THANKSGIVING TO GOD WHO SAVES FROM DEATH
Psalm 116:1-19
IV: Justification and the Christian Life
GOD'S INDOMITABLE LOVE IN CHRIST
Romans 8:28-39
