6 August 2017

The Transfiguration of the Lord

Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14|
Psalm 96:1-2, 5-6, 9
2 Peter 1:16-19
The Gospel of Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this disciples fell on their faces overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.   As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.’

Listen to Him

Peter wanted three tents. The answer that came from heaven showed that we have only one: the Word of God is the Christ, the Word of God is in the Law, the Word of God is in the prophets… The moment the cloud enveloped them all and formed, so to say, one single tent above them, a voice came out of it… The one whom the voice revealed is the one in whom the Law and the prophets glory: “This is my beloved Son on whom my favour rests. Listen to him.” For you listened to him in the prophets, you listened to him in the Law, and where did you not hear him? When they heard those words, the disciples fell to the ground. In falling to the ground, the apostles symbolize our death…, but in raising them up, the Lord symbolizes the resurrection. And after the resurrection, of what use is the Law? Of what use is prophecy? From that moment, Elijah disappeared and Moses disappeared. What remains for you is: “In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God’s presence, and the Word was God.” (Jn 1:1) The Word remains for you so that God might be all in all (1 Cor 15:28).

Come down, Peter. You wanted to rest on the mountain… Now the Lord himself is telling you: “Come down to labour and to serve in this world, to be looked down upon and crucified in this world.” Life came down to be put to death, the bread came down to endure hunger, the way came down to become tired on the path, the spring came down to endure thirst, and you refuse to suffer? Don’t seek your profit. Practice charity, proclaim the truth. Then you will reach immortality, and with it, you will find peace.
St. Augustine, Sermon 78

Saints of the week
Mon 7 Saints Sixtus II, Pope, and his Companions, Martyrs. Also Saint Cajetan, Priest 
Tue 8 Saint Dominic, Priest 
Wed 9 Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Virgin, Martyr  
Thu 10 Saint Laurence, Deacon, Martyr Feast 
Fri 11 Saint Clare, Virgin 
Sat 12 Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious. Also Memorial of BVM on Sat.

Psalter Week II

Next Sunday’s Readings
1 Kings 19:1,11-13
Psalm 84:9-14
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:22-33

St. Lawrence, Deacon

In the year 258, Emperor Valerian began a great persecution against the Church in Rome. At that time Saint Lawrence was one of seven deacons in charge of helping the poor. Then, the Roman Prefect, thinking the Church to be very wealthy, ordered Lawrence to hand over the Church’s treasure, and the Deacon agreed, but he asked for three days. Then he went through the city and gathered together the poor, the sick and the lame and brought them to the Prefect, saying: “This is the Church’s treasure!” The angry Prefect condemned Lawrence to a slow death. The Saint was tied to an iron grill where they began to roast him, but Lawrence, burning with the love of God, and filled with the Holy Spirit, was given supernatural strength and joy, to the point of joking by saying: “Turn me over, I’m done on this side!” And before receiving the martyr’s crown, he prayed for the conversion of the city of Rome and for the Catholic faith to spread over the world.

St. Lawrence, pray for us.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, Tue 15 Aug. Holy Day of Obligation, Mass will be at 12pm in Agia Kyriaki. The Holy Rosary will be prayed before Mass in honour of Our Lady at 11:35

CARITAS PAPHOS currently needs:

• Nοn-perishable food to support approximately 40 households a week in the Paphos area.
• Computer whiz to manage crowdfunding appeals.
• Teachers for basic Greek.
• Transportation of students (lifts).

Prayers and donations always help. Contact Wendy Burdon 99 040294.

Archangel Michael Hospice: Volunteers needed in the areas of reception, nursing assistants and cafeteria. Contact Mona (99 494 140).

Mass Times HERE