Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 2nd Week of Advent – Saturday – Matthew 17:9a,10-13

Following the supernatural Transfiguration in which Christ’s divinity is miraculously made manifest and He speaks with Moses and Elijah in front of Peter, James and John, Christ leads the three key disciples down the mountain.

Astoundingly, Christ accurately speaks of His future Passion and Resurrection from the dead in a matter of fact way. Christ forbids His closest disciples from revealing the Transfiguration until after He has been raised from the dead. Christ’s reasons for not revealing His identity are mysterious but may be to avoid being falsely mistaken for a political messiah (which is what many Jews expected) and to allow His own mysterious plan to unfold.

The disciples, knowing the scriptures spoke of the return of Elijah (Mal 4:5) and having just seen Christ speaking with Elijah (Matt 17:3) during the Transfiguration, are perhaps confused why Elijah did not remain.  Christ corrects them, revealing that Elijah has already come; John the Baptist is the new Elijah who has already announced the Messiah’s return in the Incarnation of Jesus.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ is supernaturally Transfigured with the witnesses of Peter, James and John; both Moses and Elijah are present as witnesses. Divine King, Christ allows His inner core of disciples to witness a powerful manifestation of His Divinity to bolster their faith and sternly commands them not to reveal this miracle.  Divine Prophet, Christ reveals hidden elements of Salvation History, describing John the Baptist and Elijah’s roles.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) When Scripture is approached casually or becomes familiar, the astounding impact of what is occurring can be lost. Ponder Christ’s accurate matter-of-fact description of His coming murder and resurrection from the dead.

2) Understanding scripture is critical so that a man can understand Salvation History and realize his place in it. With the start of the new liturgical year in Advent, make a commitment to Christ to read the daily Gospel readings from Mass without fail during the coming year.

3) Christ invites His most beloved disciples, Peter, James and John, to see the manifestation of His Divinity in the Transfiguration. Now, Christ offers all Catholic men the chance to encounter His actual Body and Blood in the Eucharist. This Advent, pray for Christ to give you a new hunger for the Eucharist in the Mass.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Joyful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Blessed Virgin Mary

Virtue of the Day – Hope

Corporal Work of Mercy – To bury the dead

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To pray for the living and the dead