＊＊＊1st Reading＊＊＊

Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14

 I looked and saw the following: Some thrones were set in place and One of Great Age took his seat.

His robe was white as snow, his hair white as washed wool. His throne was 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 continued watching the nocturnal 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 given him, and all the peoples and nations of every language served him. His dominion is eternal and shall never pass away; his kingdom will never be destroyed.

 

＊＊＊2nd Reading ＊＊＊

 2Peter 1: 16-19

 Indeed, what we taught you about the power and the return of Christ Jesus our Lord was not drawn from myths or formulated theories. We ourselves were eyewitnesses of his majesty, when he received glory and honor from God the Father, when from the magnificent Glory this most extraordinary word came upon him: “This is my beloved Son, this is my Chosen One.” We ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.

Therefore, we believe most firmly in the message of the prophets which you should consider rightly as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the break of day, when the Morning Star shines in your hearts.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Lukd 9: 28b-36

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, than 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.

 

Reflection gospel：

“HE WENT UP THE MOUNTAIN TO PRAY.”

Many things have already been said about prayer; and still, one could add more descriptions of it because experiences of prayer vary from one person to another. However, what is common to these experiences is that it opens up the mind and heart to a realm where one encounters the divine. Prayer puts us in touch with the power beyond us. it touches and engages our deepest concerns, freeing us from their grip and connecting us to the true source of joy and consolation.

It sets a condition and prepares an individual to undergo transformation. In prayer we are given hope, shown direction, and gain courage and strength. Prayer not only help us connect to the joy, suffering and pain of our fellow humans; but it also allows us to feel, in a profound way, the “pain” and “suffering “ of other forms of life on Earth, the voiceless creatures, that are subjected to destructive human behavior.