Transfiguration of the Lord
Solemnity
Liturgical Cycle: A | Lectionary Cycle: II
Introduction
An Advance Glimpse of Glory
Greeting
Today God our Father tells us:
This is my beloved Son.
Listen to him.
May the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ
resound in your hearts and in your lives.
May the Lord be with you always. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
According to St. Luke, when Jesus is about to depart for Jerusalem to make his “exodus” for his passion and death, the light of his resurrection is already projected on him at his transfiguration. It comes as an encouraging foretaste of his glory to strengthen him on the road to suffering. Shortly before the Passion, when the faith of the apostles will be sorely tested, Jesus shows them his true face transfigured by God’s light. Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophets, also bear witness to him. This is God’s beloved Son: listen to him, look beyond appearances. This vision and message is also given to us in the eucharist of today.
Penitential Act
Do we too try to understand Jesus better
and see his presence in our life as real and strong?
Do we listen to him? Let us examine ourselves.
(pause)
Lord, you showed your glorious face
to strengthen the faith of the apostles.
Show yourself to us:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you were strengthened
on your way to suffering and death.
Be with us when we suffer,
and inspire us to stand by the side of those who suffer:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, your Father told us to listen to you.
Open our ears and hearts to your message:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord,
and forgive us all our sins.
Make us more aware of your nearness
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray to God
who has made us his sons and daughters
in Jesus, his beloved Son
(pause)
Lord our God,
at the transfiguration of Jesus
You gave eyes of faith to the apostles
to see beyond appearances,
and to recognise Jesus as your beloved Son.
Strengthen our faith, too,
in the person and message of your Son.
Help us to recognise something of his face
in our brothers and sisters
and to encounter him in one another,
that we may journey with him
and share in his glory forever. R/ Amen.
First Reading
I looked and saw the following: Some thrones were in place, and One of Great Age took his seat: His robe was as white as snow, and his hair was as white as washed wool. His throne was made of flames of fire with wheels of blazing fire.
A river of fire sprang forth and flowed before him. Thousands upon thousands served him, and a countless multitude stood before him. Those in the tribunal took their seats and opened the book.
I kept watching the night vision: One like a son of man came on the clouds of heaven. He faced the One of Great Age and was brought into his presence.
Dominion, honor, and kingship were granted to him, and all peoples and nations of every language served him. His dominion is eternal and will never pass away; his kingdom will never be destroyed.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Second Reading
Witness to the Glory of Christ
Indeed, what we taught you about the power and the return of Christ Jesus our Lord was not based on myths or mere theories. We ourselves were eyewitnesses of his majesty
when he received glory and honor from God the Father. From his magnificent glory, this extraordinary voice came upon him: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
We personally heard this voice from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Therefore, we strongly believe in the message of the prophets. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.