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: 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/catholicpreaching/11.29.21_Homily_1.mp3

 

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

DN 7:9-10, 13-14

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

PS 97:1-2, 5-6, 9

R. (1a and 9a) The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

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,