Today’s first reading from the book of Daniel had a profound influence on the New Testament authors. In their interpretation, God, referred to as “the Ancient of Days” is seated on his throne. And the exalted Jesus, referred to as the “Son of Man,” approaches the throne through the clouds of heaven. But in the New Testament, the imagery is adjusted to depict the second coming of Jesus to earth through the clouds in the sky. The reading was meant to the affirm the Christian belief in Christ as the long-awaited Messiah sent by God for our salvation.
The first reading, therefore, serves as the Old Testament background to our gospel passage, the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus, witnessed by three of the apostles. This gospel story anticipates the exaltation of Jesus as he approaches his passion and death on the cross and his continuing presence among us as the risen Lord.
—Walter Modrys SJ
This Sunday’s readings can be found on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.
believe. teach. practice. 