First reading
|
Genesis 12:1-4 ©
|
The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your family and your father’s house, for the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name so famous that it will be used as a blessing.
‘I will bless those who bless you:
I will curse those who slight you.
All the tribes of the earth
shall bless themselves by you.’
So Abram went as the Lord told him.
Psalm
|
Psalm 32:4-5,18-20,22
|
Second reading
|
2 Timothy 1:8-10 ©
|
With me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy – not because of anything we ourselves have done but for his own purpose and by his own grace. This grace had already been granted to us, in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time, but it has only been revealed by the Appearing of our saviour Christ Jesus. He abolished death, and he has proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.’
REFLECTION:
Last Sunday, we observed that during Lent we should be “more fervent in prayer….Today we see that God is reaching into our lives within this hour. He has been waiting for us on this Sunday, as he does on every Sunday, to communicate to us his love. This is what the Mass is: God reaching out to us in love and we responding in the sacrificial act of Christ. This is prayer at its highest level. Yes, Lord, it is good for us to be here.
In what ways have we allowed God to transform us?
Have we listened to God saying to us….”Go to Jesus, he is my beloved Son…listen to him.”
Have we trusted God that he can transfigure the world into a far more livable place so long as we have Him as the center of our lives?
(A paraphrase of St Francis’ prayer as inspired by his spirituality)
Lord, make us walk in your way:
Where there is love and wisdom,
there is neither fear nor ignorance;
Where there is patience and humility,
there is neither anger nor annoyance;
Where there is poverty and joy,
there is neither greed nor avarice;
Where there is peace and contemplation,
there is neither care nor restlessness;
Where there is fear of God to guard the dwelling,
there no enemy can enter;
Where there is mercy and prudence,
there is neither excess nor harshness.
This we know through Your Son,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
(Note: Before you begin reading this, put your name in the blank spaces provided. Then read each statement to yourself, allowing yourself to dwell on those lines that speak to you p0werfully.)
This is the Word of the Lord about___________. I made you_________ in my own image, and likeness, and when I made you, I saw that you were good. (Gen 1:27-31).
You, ________ are a work of art (Eph 2:10) and part of my household (Eph 2:22).
You,__________reflect like a mirror, the brightness of the Lord, and grow brighter and brighter as you are turned into the image that you reflect: this is MY work (2 Cor 3:18).
I have blessed you, _________ with all the Spiritual blessings of heaven in Christ. Before the world was made, ________,I chose you in Christ, to be holy and spotless, and to live through love in my presence (Eph 1:3-4).
I chose you, _______ to live with me (1 Tim 5:9). You, _________ are my friend (Jn 15:15). I made you, ________ only a little less than the angels, and crowned you with glory and honor (Ps 3:5). You, __________ are god; the child of the most high (Ps 82:6).
I am your shepherd,_________. You shall not want (Ps 23). I have loved you, ________with an everlasting love, and therefore I am constant in my affection for you (Jer 31:3). I am silently planning for you in love (Jer 29:11-14).
Do not be afraid,___________, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name______________, you are mine. Should you pass through the sea, I will be with you; or through rivers, they will not swallow you up. Should you you walk through fire, you will not be scorched and the flames will not burn you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy one of Israel, your Saviour. You are precious in my eyes ____________. You are honoured and I love you (Is 43-1-4).
You, ___________are worth more than many sparrows (Lk 1:@4). I will look after you ____________(Lk 12:28). Your name is written on the palms of my hands (Is 49:16).
You ____________ have been born anew to a living hope (1 Pt 3). I, Christ loved you ____________ and sacrificed myself for your sake (Gal 2:20). Now you are able to appear before me, blameless, holy and pure ______________(Col 1:22).
Christ is with you, your hope _____________ of glory (Col 1:27). When Christ is revealed- and he is your life- you too __________ will be revealed in all your glory with him (Col 3:4). You _____________ are not your own property; you have been bought and paid for (Col 5:20).
I know you fully ___________ (1 Cor 13:12). You _________are the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you (1 Cor 3:16). You _____________ have become the goodness of God (2 Cor 5:21). You __________ have become an ambassador for Christ. It is as though I were appealing through you (2 Cor 5:20). For you _________ who are in Christ, there is a new Creation; the old has gone and a new one is here (2 Cor 5:17.)
Junjun FAITHBOOK 