SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Saturday

Year II

Readings

First Reading
Jas 3:1–10

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 12:2–3, 4–5, 7–8

Gospel
Mk 9:2–13

Meditation on Today’s Readings

Taken from the Vatican II Sunday and Weekday Missal
Written by Celia Sirois

The Letter to the Hebrews defines faith as “the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” In the transfiguration, Peter, James and John are given a glimpse of what all Christians hope for and long to see—Christ in glory. The vision overwhelms Peter, who exclaims, “It is good that we are here.” Then as he tries to capture the moment by suggesting that they build tents on the site, the heavenly voice speaks: “This is my beloved Son.” These words, confided to Jesus at his baptism, are addressed now to his disciples. With this, the vision ends.

The selection from James is addressed to Christian teachers. The author, himself a teacher, realizes that teaching is an awesome ministry. The conclusion of the transfiguration story depicts Peter, James and John, future Christian teachers, puzzling over what they have just seen and heard. They struggle to reconcile their lived experience with what they have previously learned from scribes and from Scripture about resurrection. As they do so, the voice from heaven insists: “Listen to him.”

The copyright for the Sunday Missal Introductions is:
Copyright (c) 2001, Daughters of St. Paul
The copyright for the Weekday Missal Introduction is:
Copyright (c) 2002, Daughters of St. Paul