In today's Gospel, we learn about how Jesus was transfigured on Mount Tabor, how Jesus is connected to Moses and Elijah in the Old Testament, and how he uses this setting to give hope and strength to his inner circle of disciples who will need it when they're with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Father in Heaven, we give you praise and glory. We thank you for bringing us together today to worship you. Please send us the Holy Spirit, so we can understand the message you have for us today. Like Peter, James and John on Mount Tabor, give us the hope and courage we need to overcome any fear and temptation that faces us. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2_ZLnr3F04 (Attributed to Catholic Kids Media)
Ask: What is the best thing that has ever happened to you? Invite a sample of responses. Ask: Did you wish that you could stay in that moment forever? What do those great experiences mean to you now? Were they just great things that happened, or do they still have importance for you today? Invite a sample of responses.
Say: Today’s Gospel tells the story of a great moment in Jesus’ life and the lives of his closest disciples: Peter, James, and John. Let’s listen to that Gospel to hear what meaning it might have for us today.
Invite volunteers to read different parts of today’s Gospel, Matthew 17:1-9.
Ask: What did Peter want to do when he saw the change in Jesus’ appearance? (He wanted to set up three tents.) What did the voice from the cloud say? (“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”) What did Jesus tell the disciples as they were coming down from the mountain? (“Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”)
Ask: Do you think the disciples understood what they had just observed? Would they understand it better later? How might this experience have helped Jesus and his disciples during the days of Jesus’ Passion? Accept all reasonable answers.
Father in Heaven we give you today, all that we do and think and say, help us to remember your glory in Heaven, like Peter, James, and John witnessed so that we can strive towards that through our daily actions. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
