Migrant’s Sunday
First reading: Gen. 12:1–4a
The LORD said to Abram: “Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.
“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the communities of the earth shall find blessing in you.”
Abram went as the LORD directed him.
Second reading: 2 Tim. 1:8b–10
Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.
He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Gospel: Mt. 17:1–9
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
In other words
Fr. Roger Bag-ao, SVD (University of San Carlos, Cebu City)
Today is Migrant’s Sunday, which is dedicated to all migrants all over the world. People migrate for many reasons: poverty, persecution, exclusion, occupation, or mission assignment. The degree of challenges the migrants face varies depending on the situation and circumstance.
In the First Reading, when Abraham was told to migrate, God promised him abundant blessings. Indeed, not without difficulty, Abraham got this promise of blessings in due time. Several migrants, like some Filipino migrant workers, were not able to obtain the promised blessings from their respective employers, for at the very start, they were trafficked and swindled.
Migration is a natural phenomenon. As part of growth, we are forced to migrate from the old life to the new life, from the old program to the new program, from old knowledge to new knowledge, etc. Sometimes, we resist this natural phenomenon, for it entails a lot of discomfort and uncertainties. But even with our discomfort, we cannot follow the call for change.
The Gospel for today is a fitting guide and inspiration for dealing with our migration experiences in personal and communal living. In the Transfiguration, Jesus showed His disciples the glory they had to expect after His passion and death. The horrible but necessary journey has to happen in view of the coming glory. As we dedicate our prayers this Sunday for migrants, let us pray that they will be strengthened with the hope of transformation in their present struggles and ordeals.