SPOKE OF HIS DEPARTURE…

Daniel 7:9-10,13-14
9 As I looked, thrones were placed and one that was ancient of days took his seat; his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, its wheels were burning fire.
10 A stream of fire issued and came forth from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.
13 I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.14 And to him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

2 Peter 1:16-19 

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”18 we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.19 And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Luke 9:28-36 

28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white.
30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah,31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem.
32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.
33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”–not knowing what he said.
34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

MEDITATION

DANIELS PROPHECY mirrors the apocolyptic account of St John, who describe and reveal the; “Ancient of Days;” a reference to the Truine trinatarian God whose existance is timeless! The glorified second person of the Trinity, Christ, present to the Father all those who were called to serve in His eternal Kingdom. 

St PETERS EPISTLE is a response to naysayers who question the tranitarian nature of Christ the Messiah. Peter affirm that he personally witnessesed the Fathers endorsement of the Son on the mount, when Christ became like a burning lamp when the ‘Shekhinah’—Gods presence—overshadowed Him.

THE GOSPEL READING traverse the supernatural event on the mount that saw Elijah, Moses and Christ who were in a glorified illuminated state, discussing His departure. Awakened from his slumber Peter instantaneously recognized the reality of this stupendous event that signalled the feast of ‘Sukkot.’ This feast required the people to fast and pray for seven days in a tent made with palm branches awaiting the Messiah and their homecoming. 

The reality and emminance of death is a matter that we try to avoid because we consider it a morbid depressing subject. Judging from our fearful response to the Covid epidemic, many went into hiding, masked, shut behind closed doors fearing death as if earth is our permanent residence! Our bodies are temporary dwellings wherefore we cannot cling to it. Before we depart from this world we must seek to be transformed by indulging the prayers of the Holy Saints who await our homecoming in heaven! Today should be a good day to naturally go home to meet our maker. If not, then we must reach out to the Father asking Him to dispel the dark clouds that preclude us from being in a state of grace, joy and peace. 

LET US PRAY: Psalms 97:1-2,5-6,9

1 The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!
2 Clouds and thick darkness are round about him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.9 For thou, O LORD, art most high over all the earth; thou art exalted far above all gods.

Commentary. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.