Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

Faith is Reality

Outline

“Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.”

That is, faith is not imagination, but the acceptance of the reality of something that one cannot “see” or necessarily otherwise test with the senses

In each of the cases listed the person does not understand or have evidence for what he trusts in an acts on.

And that changes his life.

He pleases God, and “without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

That is not a lot of theological knowledge, but it is enough for God.

We need to remember this.

“This is my beloved Son.

Listen to him.”

That is the faith called for in the transfiguration.

Jesus has set the situation up - he has chosen 3 witnesses, ascended the mountain, and at least accepted the transfiguration and the visitation by Moses and Elijah.

The witnesses at least needed to trust that this was real.

“Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice,” - classic OT theophany, in this case interrupting the disciples’ terror, and those critical words, “This is my beloved Son.

Listen to him.”

rang out.

The purpose of the experience comes in Jesus’ command, “he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.”

And if the needed further explanation, “Elijah has come and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

Listen to him.

Listen to him when he walks into the face of death.

Listen to him when he is not the victorious Elijah but like the beheaded Elijah.

The trust engendered on the mountain now becomes the trust that will enable them to hold on - even if by a thin thread - until the resurrection.

Only then will it all begin to make sense.

So, Sisters, let us be people of faith

Faith is not saying that something is irrational.

Faith is trusting someone rather than trusting physical evidence we can manipulate.

Faith is not needed to walk through spiritual victories or gates of splendor; faith is needed to walk under the threat of death and destruction and still trust that he is there leading us onward.

“This is my beloved Son.

Listen to him.”

Readings

FIRST READING

Hebrews 11:1–7

CHAPTER 11*

1 Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.

2 Because of it the ancients were well attested.

3 By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain’s.

Through this he was attested to be righteous, God bearing witness to his gifts, and through this, though dead, he still speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and “he was found no more because God had taken him.”

Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

7 By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen, with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household.

Through this he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.

RESPONSE

Psalm 145:1

1 Praise.

Of David.

I will extol you, my God and king;

I will bless your name forever and ever.

PSALM

Psalm 145:2–5, 10–11

2 Every day I will bless you;

I will praise your name forever and ever.

3 Great is the LORD and worthy of much praise,

whose grandeur is beyond understanding.

4 One generation praises your deeds to the next

and proclaims your mighty works.

5 They speak of the splendor of your majestic glory,

tell of your wonderful deeds.

10 All your works give you thanks, LORD

and your faithful bless you.

11 They speak of the glory of your reign

and tell of your mighty works,

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Mark 9:6

6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.

GOSPEL

Mark 9:2–13

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.

And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.

4 Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.

5 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here!

Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

6 He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.

7 Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; then from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son.

Listen to him.”

8 Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

11 Then they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12 He told them, “Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things, yet how is it written regarding the Son of Man that he must suffer greatly and be treated with contempt?

13 But I tell you that Elijah has come and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

Notes

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2023 | ORDINARY TIME

SATURDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

YEAR 1 | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Hebrews 11:1–7

Response Psalm 145:1

Psalm Psalm 145:2–5, 10–11

Gospel Acclamation Mark 9:6

Gospel Mark 9:2–13

GREEN