Hello, this is Father Paul, and I'm glad we're
taking this journey together to read the Bible
in a year. Today's reading is from the Gospel
of Matthew, chapter 17. Now after six days, Jesus
took Peter, James, and John, his brother, led
them up on a high mountain by themselves. And
he was transfigured before them, his face shone
like the sun, and his clothes became as white
as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared
to them, talking with him. Then Peter answered
and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to
be here. If you wish, let us make here three
tabernacles, one for you, one for Moses, and
one for Elijah. While he was still speaking,
behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. And
suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying,
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Hear him. And when the disciples heard it, they
fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them and said, Arise
and do not be afraid. When they had lifted up
their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Now
as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded
them, saying, Tell the vision to no one until
the Son of Man is risen from the dead. And his
disciples asked him, saying, Why then do the
scribes say that Elijah must come first? Jesus
answered and said to them, Indeed, Elijah is
coming first and will restore all things. But
I say to you that Elijah has come already. and
they did not know him, but did to him whatever
they wished. Likewise, the Son of Man is also
about to suffer at their hands. Then the disciples
understood that he spoke to them of John the
Baptist. And when they had come to the multitude,
a man came to him, kneeling down to him and saying,
Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic
and suffers severely, for he often falls into
the fire and often into the water. So I brought
him to your disciples, but they could not cure
him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless
and perverse generation, how long shall I be
with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring
him here to me. And Jesus rebuked the demon,
and it came out of him, and the child was cured
from that very hour. Then the disciples came
to Jesus privately and said, Why could we not
cast it out? So Jesus said to them, Because of
your unbelief. For assuredly I say to you, if
you have faith, As a mustard seed, you will say
to this mountain, Move from here to there, and
it will move, and nothing will be impossible
for you. However, this kind does not go out except
by prayer and fasting. Now while they were staying
in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of Man
is about to be betrayed into the hands of men,
and they will kill him, and the third day he
will be raised up. And they were exceedingly
sorrowful. When they had come to Capernaum, Those
who received the temple tax came to Peter and
said, Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?
He said, Yes. And when he had come into the house,
Jesus anticipated him, saying, What do you think,
Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take
customs or taxes? From their sons or from strangers?
Peter said to him, From strangers. Jesus said
to him, Then the sons are free. Nevertheless,
lest we offend them, go to the sea. Cast in a
hook and take the fish that comes up first. And
when you have opened its mouth, you will find
a piece of money. Take that and give it to them
for me and you. I hope you enjoyed today's reading
as much as I did. And I look forward to seeing
you again tomorrow to continue on our journey.
God bless you and have a great day.