For Sunday,
February 7, 2016, Last Sunday after Epiphany, Year C, Readings: Exodus
34:29-35, Ps 99, 2Cor 3:12-4:2, Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]
And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. [2 Corinthians 3:18]
And while [Jesus] was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem... Then from a cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" [Luke 9:29-31, 35]
The Transfiguration story
is at once mystery, miracle, and milestone. Jesus became a shining, glowing,
gleaming, shimmering beam of radiant glory! A metamorphosis. At the top of the
mountain, Jesus is the connection to both human and divine. The mystery of the
Eternal Hand of God is a miracle of Jesus. We are quite familiar with the
miracles Jesus performs through the Spirit of God along the way of his ministry
- changing water to wine, healing the blind, the lame, casting out demons,
raising the dead. But this is unique among them as this is a miracle of God
within Jesus, transforming him in the sight of others.
The milestone is glorious yet
subtly somber. Moses and Elijah were speaking with Jesus about his departure which
he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. It seems like only a few
weeks ago we birthed him, baptized him, and heard him speaking with the elders
in the Temple and now, already, they speak of his departure from his human
existence. How time flies in the Lectionary!
For us in our time, such readings
may seem all too familiar and we know that we are heading into the time of
Lent, preparation for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Even if it is
difficult to get our culturally jaded, multi-media savvy, western minds around
this sublime moment in the life of our Redeemer, we can take away the voice
that comes from the cloud, that tells us that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, His
Chosen. We must listen. How can we
possibly ignore our Shining example?
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Almighty, Magnificent God, in the splendor of Christ
transfigured, un-blind the eyes and unblock the ears of our souls to see outside of our selves, to listen to the Voice of the Gospel, and to embrace
and engage the mission of Jesus in our own time.
Jesus, Messiah of Light
and Love
RESPONSE: Unveil our hearts to know and serve
You
~
Almighty, Magnificent God, free the minds of those who are in or seek governmental
power on this Earth, that they may exchange entrenchment to enhance personal
and political gain, for the emancipation of all God’s people from war, famine,
disease, and intolerance. We pray especially for: add your own intentions
Jesus, Messiah of Light
and Love
Unveil our hearts to know and serve You
~ Almighty, Magnificent God, release from
suffering all who are mired in the pain of body, mind, or spirit, and resilience
to those who offer support. We now join our
voices to pray aloud for those in need…
Jesus, Messiah of Light
and Love
Unveil our hearts to know and serve You
~
Almighty, Magnificent God, brighten the shadows for all in the woe of
bereavement, as those who have left the bonds of earth now live in the glory
and radiance of new and unending life in Christ. We pray especially for:
Jesus, Messiah of Light
and Love
Unveil our hearts to know and serve You
~
Almighty, Magnificent God, we pause
in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt intentions and petitions, aloud
or silently…
Jesus, Messiah of Light
and Love
Unveil our hearts to know and serve You
~
Almighty, Magnificent God, endow those chosen and anointed as the exemplars of
Your Word and Will, with fortitude and vitality as the beacons on our sacred path.
We pray especially for: add your own intentions
Jesus, Messiah of Light and Love
Unveil our hearts to know and serve You
The Celebrant adds: Gracious, Noble, Lord God, illuminate us from
within, and transform our faith into action; keep us from disinterest and indifference
in seeking Your purpose in our lives. We ask through Jesus the Christ, our
Salvation, and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, who together with You are One
God in Glory, now and for all time beyond time. Amen.
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