Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Luke 9: 28b-36
August 06, 2025 | Wednesday

Today’s Gospel

About eight days after Jesus had said all this, he took Peter, John and James, and went up the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the aspect of his face was changed, and his clothing became dazzling white. Two men were talking with Jesus: Moses and Elijah. Appearing in the glory of heaven, Moses and Elijah spoke to Jesus about his departure from this life, which was to take place in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had fallen asleep; but they awoke suddenly, and they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As Moses and Elijah were about to leave, Peter not knowing what to say said to Jesus, “Master, how good it is for us to be here! Let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” And no sooner had he spoken, then a cloud appeared and covered them; and the disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud. Then these words came from the cloud,“This is my Son, my Beloved, listen to him.” And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was there alone.

The disciples kept this to themselves at the time, telling no one of anything they had seen.

Today’s Reflection

The Babylonian exile produced several images of the dark periods of the Syrian persecution of the people of Israel and their faith, found in the Book of Daniel. This often quoted text is a different image of the pristine human being (Son of Man?) to whom God confers all earthly (and heavenly) powers. It might be a personification of the persecuted people, “the Holy One of the Most High,” who would “free His people and be exalted by God.” The title “Son of Man,” with all its Old Testament and prophetic meanings, is the only title Jesus uses himself. The Transfiguration might be anticipated in this passage. His “robe white as snow” for Christians will bring to mind the event in Luke 9:28b-36.

The author of the second reading claims to be an eyewitness to the event of the Transfiguration, which validates the connection between the Book of Daniel and the Gospel for today: the indication of the “glory of Christ” and “His divine authority.” The Feast of the Transfiguration reminds us of Christ’s promise that our mortal bodies will be like His in “the resurrection of the dead.” In what “form” do we not know, but we have “the glimpse of what is to come.” He made a punctuation mark on this event in the celebration of Easter when he resurrected and showed himself afterward to his disciples. This also reminds us to take care of our spiritual life and relationship with one another, for in keeping with His commandments, we shall be with him.

/Vulnerasti, 2025