Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

Listen to Him

Outline

How do you describe God and his presence?

Exodus has one description, our Psalm another, Ezekiel has yet another description, and our reading in Daniel a different one.

All are similar in that God is never fully described, but symbolically described.

All are similar in that they use our experience of power and majesty in this world - or in the world of the gods of the world around them - to give an impression of God as if he were in space and time.

All are different in that they are giving the impression for different purposes and tailor their description to their purpose.

Daniel pictures of coronation of the Son of Man

The Ancient One is the highest one in a culture that valued age, but he is not feeble with age.

Note that his white garments appear on Jesus in the transfiguration and his white hair appears on Jesus in Revelation 1.

The Son of Man is presented because he is not just son of God, but also Son of Man, not a Son of Man, but the Son of Man.

This one, God in human form, is the one who is crowned, the ultimate emperor.

1 Peter pictures the crowning

His point is that the transfiguration was witnessed - it was not an event he was ever to forget.

Moreover, “This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” is even more significant when coming from the ultimate ruler of the universe - he is announcing his Son, his ruling son, who has, of course, power and majesty.

Peter sees this as the fulfillment of prophecy - now we have the prophecy made certain, for we have seen up close what they saw at a distance.

Luke puts the fulfillment in the context of salvation history

Jesus is praying.

Moses and Elijah, the Torah and the prophets, appear, and they speak of Jesus’ exodus, his leaving, but also his leading his people to freedom, a combination of Moses and Elijah.

Peter, of course, wants to offer hospitality, as a slave would his master, but seems to have missed the exodus part - the three are not staying, although Moses and Elijah will leave first.

The cloud evokes the usual response to the presence of God, who is unseen, but present in the voice: “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

Listen to him, for he gives orders.

Listen to him, lay aside your own plans and what you think is proper.

No wonder the three apostles did not say anything to anyone - how could you describe that without profaning it and at the same time making others think you were insane (as they thought of quite a few mystics in the Christian tradition)?

Sisters, the transfiguration calls for meditation

No wonder it is one of the mysteries of the rosary, which means it will be meditated upon again and again.

On the one hand, it is there to burn into our hearts who he is.

On the other hand, it is there to make it clear that our part is to “listen to him.”

We will never exhaust these two sides of the Transfiguration.

We will never know the fulness, not matter how much we meditate until we are totally obedient and self-emptied and until we have come to the presence that Daniel saw.

Readings

FIRST READING

Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14

9 As I watched,

Thrones were set up

and the Ancient of Days took his throne.

His clothing was white as snow,

the hair on his head like pure wool;

His throne was flames of fire,

with wheels of burning fire.

10 A river of fire surged forth,

flowing from where he sat;

Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him,

and myriads upon myriads stood before him.

The court was convened, and the books were opened.

13 As the visions during the night continued, I saw coming with the clouds of heaven

One like a son of man.

When he reached the Ancient of Days

and was presented before him,

14 He received dominion, splendor, and kingship;

all nations, peoples and tongues will serve him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion

that shall not pass away,

his kingship, one that shall not be destroyed.

RESPONSE

Psalm 97:1a, 9a

1 The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;

let the many islands be glad.

9 For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,

exalted far above all gods.

PSALM

Psalm 97:1–2, 5–6, 9

1 The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;

let the many islands be glad.

2 Cloud and darkness surround him;

justice and right 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 justice;

all peoples see his glory.

9 For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth,

exalted far above all gods.

SECOND READING

2 Peter 1:16–19

16 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.

17 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.”

18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.

19 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.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 17:5c

5 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.”

GOSPEL

Luke 9:28b–36

28 About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray.

29 While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.

30 And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, 31  who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

32 Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

33 As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

But he did not know what he was saying.

34 While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud.

35  Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

36 After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.

They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

Notes

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2022 | FEAST

TRANSFIGURATION OF THE LORD

YEAR C | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

First Reading Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14