Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Thursday of the 18th week in ordinary time, August 6, 2026, Feast of Transfiguration of the Lord

Delivered by Kezia from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Daniel 7: 9-10.13-14; Rs psalm 97: 1-2.5-6.9; 2 Peter 1: 16-19; Matthew 17: 1-9.EYES AND EARS ARE ON GUARD Our meditation today has the theme: Eye and Ear are onGuard. There is a young man who was in his third time falling in love and forhim this last one should bring a positive outcome. The previous two alwaysended in sadness because there were many troubles and conflicts happened. Herecognized his own weaknesses that have contributed to the failure of thoseprevious love relationships. Then he spoke about it with his parents. Hisparents advised him, saying that the decision of heart of what to say and toact depends very much on one's ability to see and to hear. Our eyes and ears must always be active in order toperceive the reality of those whom we love. When you see that the person nextto you is busy with some activities, or when you hear that the person's voiceis very weak, your heart's decision will determine what action you can take infavor of him. That young man agreed to this advise and he promised to use thisthird opportunity of love relationship be meaningful and could go on to thelevel of marriage. Today, as we celebrate the feast Jesus who revealedHis glory or commonly known as the transfiguration day, the Word of God teachesus to experience the glory and greatness of God through our eyes that see andour ears that hear. All three readings describe the physical acts of seeing andhearing that were experienced by the prophet Daniel, the apostle Peter and histwo fellow apostles. They saw the apparition of God and heard the voice thatcame directly from the heavenly Father. Such faith experience of seeing andhearing directly the Lord is indeed desired by all of us. We desire to be thereon the Mount Tabor to witness God's glory like what the apostles hadexperienced.  In our case, our faith and spiritual experiences withthe Lord are indirect events, however, they are the representations that cometo us directly. Jesus represents or manifests His glory through the Holy Father,bishops or priests, or a brother and sister who offer goodness and charity tous. Jesus is truly present as the person from heaven, yet He is made into theEucharistic Bread which we always worship and eat. Jesus also stands at thepulpit and says directly to us the divine Word yet He is represented by a preacher.Such experiences are highly esteemed, and they indeed help our faith grow. Oureyes and ears are very instrumental for the growth of our faith. If we do not listen and see with proper intention andgood attention, we will lose the experience of the glory of God present inothers, the environment, and the events of our lives.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... O most loving Lord, may we always eager tosee and hear You in every situation of our lives. Hail Mary, full of grace ...In the name of the Father ...