Fr. Roger J. Landry
Basilica of the Transfiguration, Mount Tabor
Leonine Forum Pilgrimage
November 29, 2021
Daniel 7:9-10.13-14, Ps 97, 2 Pet 1:16-19, Mt 17:1-9
To listen to an audio recording of today’s readings, please click below:
This was the outline of the homily:
- Today we come on pilgrimage, like Saint Peter, James and John, to Mount Tabor with Jesus. Here we learn five lessons.
- On the pilgrimage of life we need to exert ourselves, like they did, in hiking this mountain.
- On the pilgrimage of life, Jesus wants to lead us apart to pray, and more specifically, to enter into his prayer: his communion with the Father, his discussion with Elijah and Moses and other figures who in God are very much alive, like we are able to do through Sacred Scripture. We enter into the “cloud” or mystery of prayer trying to focus “only on Jesus.” In prayer God the Father asks the question Jesus made in Caesarea Philippi, saying that Jesus is his beloved son.”
- On the pilgrimage of life, we need to listen to Jesus, like God the Father called the apostles to do, despite the fact that they had been listening to Jesus for more than two years. God the Father knew they were selectively listening to Jesus and particularly tone deaf to his passion, death and resurrection.
- On the pilgrimage of life, we need to have this Tabor moments but then Jesus wants to lead us down the hill, into the world, and up Mount Calvary. We’re tempted to build Jesus booths, to keep the good times rolling, but Jesus has other plans.
- On the pilgrimage of life, Jesus intends to build a booth for us, within us, which is what happens every Mass.
The readings for today’s Mass were:
Reading 1
As I watched:
Thrones were set up
and the Ancient One took his throne.
His clothing was bright as snow,
and the hair on his head as white as wool;
his throne was flames of fire,
with wheels of burning fire.
A surging stream of fire
flowed out from where he sat;
Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,
and myriads upon myriads attended him.
The court was convened and the books were opened.
As the visions during the night continued, I saw:
One like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
When he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
The one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.
Responsorial Psalm
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many islands be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him,
justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the LORD of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,
exalted far above all gods.
R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.
Reading II
We did not follow cleverly devised myths
when we made known to you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father
when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory,
“This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven
while we were with him on the holy mountain.
Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.
You will do well to be attentive to it,
as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Alleluia
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John,
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.”
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