Open Word

FIRST READING

Exodus 24:12-18

Verse 12. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.” Verse 13. So Moses set out with Joshua his attendant and went up on the mountain of God. Verse 14. And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. Aaron and Hur are here with you. Whoever has a dispute can go to them.” Verse 15. When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, Verse 16. and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. Verse 17. And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites. Verse 18. Moses entered the cloud as he went up on the mountain, and he remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

PSALM

Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One:

“Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.”

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them.

Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury:

“I have installed My King on Zion, upon My holy mountain.”

I will proclaim the decree spoken to Me by the LORD: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.

Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession.

You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery. ”

Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you perish in your rebellion, when His wrath ignites in an instant. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.

PSALM

Psalm 99

The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble! He is enthroned above the cherubim; let the earth quake!

Great is the LORD in Zion; He is exalted above all the peoples.

Let them praise Your great and awesome name — He is holy!

The mighty King loves justice. You have established equity; You have exercised justice and righteousness in Jacob.

Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool; He is holy!

Moses and Aaron were among His priests; Samuel was among those who called on His name. They called to the LORD and He answered.

He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept His decrees and the statutes He gave them.

O LORD our God, You answered them. You were a forgiving God to them, yet an avenger of their misdeeds.

Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy.

SECOND READING

2 Peter 1:16-21

Verse 16. For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. Verse 17. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Verse 18. And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. Verse 19. We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Verse 20. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. Verse 21. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

GOSPEL

Matthew 17:1-9

Verse 1. After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. Verse 2. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Verse 3. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. Verse 4. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters — one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Verse 5. While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” Verse 6. When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror. Verse 7. Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Do not be afraid.” Verse 8. And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. Verse 9. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone about this vision until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”