"The Transfiguration" -- by James Tissot |
FIRST READING: Sirach 48: 1 - 4, 9 - 11
1
And Elijah the prophet stood up, as a fire, and his word burnt like a
torch.
2
He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their
envy, were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the
commandments of the Lord.
3
By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and he brought down
fire from heaven thrice.
4
Thus was Elijah magnified in his wondrous works. And who can glory
like to thee?
9
Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot of fiery
horses.
10
Who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of
the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to
restore the tribes of Jacob.
11
Blessed are they that saw thee, and were honoured with thy
friendship.
2
Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a
sheep. Thou that sittest upon the cherubims, shine forth
3
Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses. Stir up thy might, and come
to save us.
15
Turn again, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and see, and visit
this vineyard:
16
And perfect the same which thy right hand hath planted: and upon the
son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.
18
Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand: and upon the son of
man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.
19
And we depart not from thee, thou shalt quicken us: and we will call
upon thy name.
10
And his disciples asked him, saying: Why then do the scribes say that
Elijah must come first?
11
But he answering, said to them: Elijah indeed shall come, and restore
all things.
12
But I say to you, that Elijah is already come, and they knew him not,
but have done unto him whatsoever they had a mind. So also the Son of
man shall suffer from them.
13
Then the disciples understood, that he had spoken to them of John the
Baptist.