The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord | Tuesday 6 August 2024

Today is Tuesday 6 August, the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, in the 18th week of Ordinary Time.


The monks of Pluscarden Abbey sing Assumpsit Jesus: ‘Jesus took Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, and he was transfigured in front of them.’

(Lyrics currently unavailable)

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 9:2-10

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean.

You might have prayed with this passage of the Transfiguration many times before. Take a moment to imagine the scene before you. Does something draw your attention in particular?

Notice Peter’s idea about building “three dwellings”. Is it a good idea, do you think? How might you have responded in his position?

“This is my Son the Beloved.” As you listen to the passage again, imagine this moment… how does the voice sound?

Finally, see if you can gather together the feelings and thoughts that have arisen within you during this time of prayer. Can you now turn them into a prayer to God?

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.