Prayers of the People: Turning the Tables ~ 3rd Sunday in Lent '21 Yr B

For Sunday, March 7, 2021, Readings: Exodus 20:1-7, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22

       I am the Lord your God...you shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth...Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy...But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God... [Exodus 20:2a, 4, 8, 10a]

     The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul...The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear and gives light to the eyes... Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight... [Psalm 19:7a, 8, 14]

        For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. 

[1 Corinthians 1:25]

          In the temple [Jesus] found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables…Making a whip of cords he drove all of them out of the temple...poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables..."Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!"...Jesus answered [the Jews], "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"...But he was speaking of the temple of his body. [John 2:14-15, 16b, 19, 21]

       Here we are at about the halfway point in this Lent, and the first of the appointed readings for this week presents us with the Ten Commandments. While we all think we know them, and perhaps even memorized them as children, it's a good opportunity to look at the list again and re-think our relationship with them. By digging through some archaic vocabulary and translating it into current expressions, we may very well discover a fresh perspective. [Try this paraphrase: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+20%3A1-17&version=MSG and while on this site, try a few of the many other translations and paraphrases offered, any time you are reading a piece of Scripture; you may be surprised at some of the differences and discover a freshness in something old and familiar]

       Jesus later gave us what seems to be a simplified version when answering a question, by saying that we are to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and, to love our neighbors as ourselves [Mark 12:28-29]. Yet to me, there is nothing simple in those words of Jesus when we consider the entire list of Commandments ~ that is, if I truly Love God and Love my neighbor as myself, then I won't create idols, misuse God's name or covet anything of anyone, as well as all the other dictates including sabbath. But it's always useful to revisit the original and consider how ~ or if ~ they are informing our thoughts and actions.

      We may not use the term idol generally in today’s conversations other than tv talent shows, but here are some questions I need to explore for myself: What are the idols that get in my way of an active and conscious commitment to God? Are they electronic devices, streaming services, social networking? Are they food, drink, or online shopping? When does wanting something become coveting? Is my sabbath time ever spent resting with God? What is sabbath time in my life?

       I'm quite taken with the Psalmist's language this time ~ not unusual as they often speak to me. For this one I could put every word down in this space and allow my soul to float in the imagery. A day and a night telling tales and imparting knowledge to one another, without words, but yet sounds that travel to all lands. The law of the Lord revives the soul and gives light to the eyes; cleanse me from my secret faults. Just sliding into a sabbath reverie with these words is resting with God and keeping a holy time, no matter the day or the hour.

       In Paul’s writing to the Corinthians, I was struck by the ending note of this small piece that God's foolishness is wiser that human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength. It's unusual to think of God with foolishness and weakness but Paul makes it clear that we are definitely not in God's league! And, Christ incarnate is the power and the wisdom of God, the Word was God, as John’s Gospel says in its opening [John 1:1].

      But the real surprise is Jesus with a whip ~ wow ~ turning the tables in more ways than one! Bad day at the Temple for those livestock sellers and money changers.

      This account appears in the other three Gospels [Mt 21:12-17, Mk 11:15-19, and Lk 19:45-48] but at a significantly later time in the ministry of Jesus. All the accounts agree, however, that this action precipitated the plotting against him by the High Priest and his men.

      In John’s version, the cleansing of the Temple becomes the first public act of Jesus in Judea. The wedding at Cana was a private event. The issue of the Gentile marketplace in the Temple, for Jesus, was that it profaned a sacred area that was meant to be open to all people, of all nations [Mk 11:17]. It had become a convenience and a source of revenue for the Temple, an opportunity for corruption. Jesus wasn’t opposed to the sacrificial acts themselves ~ as long as they conformed to the Laws, e.g. animals without blemish, and changing the Roman coins with an image of Caesar (no graven images, remember?) for the local coins with no such image. For him this was a clear desecration of the space itself. Yet the real purpose is to set the stage for the transformation of “Temple” worship in a stone building, to the living structure of The Mystical Body of Christ, people united with their Lord and raised with him to the newness of true life, as a “temple” of the Holy Spirit.

      When Jesus said if the temple was destroyed he would raise it in three days, he was speaking of the temple of his body. I remember my grandmother telling me that my body is a temple of God and I should treat it with holiness. When was the last time I thought of that (and avoided it)? A conscious relationship with my body and my mind might just be a way to mindfully live into those pesky Commandments. A regular attempt at a holy Sabbath could well do more than I expect, especially in days of violence, hate-mongering, and pandemic distress, and reduce my dependence on the idols of my own human excess. I might find that I need God for more than just a dashed off prayer when the thought occurs. Yes, it's time to turn over a few tables.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of Power and Wisdom, from the covenant given to us through Moses, Your Divine Commands give us each clear direction for our daily lives. Embolden us to change our unfaithful ways, to choose the desire to love You above all else in this life, and to actively seek to fulfill our spiritual destiny in the next.

                                                Most Holy Lord                                              

RESPONSE:                     Revive and Strengthen our Souls

~ O God of Power and Wisdom, quicken our determination to be heard by every political leader on this Earth, in this Nation, and in this Community. Grant us the words and vitality to inspire and require positive, life-giving action on behalf of all Your people, especially those beset and beleaguered by poverty, violence, and discrimination. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Most Holy Lord

                                                Revive and Strengthen our Souls

~ O God of Power and Wisdom, restore hope in all who are lost in the illness of body or despair of mind, and give comfort to all who provide them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                Most Holy Lord

                                                Revive and Strengthen our Souls     

~ O God of Power and Wisdom, help our hearts rejoice as the doors of Heaven open wide to receive those we love, now alive again in Christ forever.  We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                Most Holy Lord

                                                Revive and Strengthen our Souls

~ O God of Power and Wisdom, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                Most Holy Lord

                                                Revive and Strengthen our Souls     

~ O God of Power and Wisdom, excite and enlighten the words and meditations of the hearts of those who lead us in Your Church, and, in our own. Draw us to willingly and joyfully follow the path You have set for us. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                Most Holy Lord

                                                Revive and Strengthen our Souls

The Celebrant adds: O Lord our God, You created each of us as a living temple to embody the love of You, our neighbors, and ourselves. Shield us from the lure of idols in the distractions of earthly life, lift our hearts and give light to our eyes, as we rejoice in Your steadfast Presence, and eternal love for us all. We ask through Your power and wisdom in Jesus our Christ; and the faith-giving fire of the Holy Spirit; who together with You, reign as One God, forever and ever. Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Three Rs + 1 ~ 2nd Sunday in Lent '21 Yr B

For Sunday, February 28, 2021; Readings: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:22-30, Romans 4:13-25, 

Mark 8:31-38

     When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared...and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. ...No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham...And I will make my covenant between me and you...to be God to you and to your offspring after you. [Genesis 17:1-2a, 5a, 10a]

       My praise is of him in the great assembly; I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him...My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; they shall be known as the LORD'S for ever. [Psalm 22:24, 29]

      For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith...[Abraham] grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God...For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all...who share the faith of Abraham. [Romans 4:13, 16, 20b]

      But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things...For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? [Mark 8:33, 36]

      A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff. [George Carlin]

        In this second week of Lent, Abram and Sarai become Abraham and Sarah, as God now names them. God then establishes a covenant with Abraham and his descendants forever. The Psalmist instructs us in the praise of God and the great and multiple reasons for it.

        Paul is explaining Abraham's righteousness of faith. In other words, his moral and virtuous faithfulness in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. The promise of Abraham’s inheritance comes not through the Law, but through his strength of faith. Paul then says that Abraham, hoping against hope, believed what God told him about all that was to come. Swiss theologian Heinrich Emil Brunner [1899-1966] once said that What oxygen is for lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life. And so, with hope in place, Abraham and Sarah, with a few hiccups along the way, yet still giving glory to God, journeyed on. Abraham, giving witness to his faith repeatedly, and hope and meaning to all our lives, has ultimately become the patriarch of the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; in that, we are all Children of Abraham. For Christians, he is the prototype of faith in the God that brings us to Jesus.

       In the Gospel reading from Mark, Jesus gets serious with the disciples about his imminent future. Peter decides to challenge these notions of the suffering and death to come, and Jesus, in a stunning and stern moment, rebukes Peter, calling him Satan!  This is a direct cue for us. To continue setting our minds on human things and not divine in everyday life, is to give us pause, to stop for a moment and think about the words of Jesus: For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? If we are so tied to “this” life, losing it for the sake of Jesus and for the sake of the Gospel is neither comfortable nor comforting to think about.

        Sure, I know “I can’t take it with me” but there’s stuff I want while I’m here. What’s wrong with having nice things and living well? There’s not so much wrong with it, but the real question is: when is enough enough? The constant acquiring of more “stuff” may be more of a detriment to our souls and spirits than we recognize, and, may be more about trying to fill a hole in our spirits through material satisfaction rather than a faith-journey with Christ.

       There is much to be gained in this human experience in the simplicity of and gratitude for life itself, and through discarding a false sense of need for so many possessions. We are then free to savor the beauty of God’s presence in the pleasure of a sunset, a child’s glee, a piece of music or art, or even better, in the mutually fulfilling act of giving peace to another’s soul through a smile, a meal, or just listening.

       Speaking of our faith publicly ~ witnessing ~ is difficult for many of us. But, our human sojourn is brief, and we know not the day nor the hour that it will end, no matter who we are or who we think we are.

      As disciples of Christ in our own day, even as we ourselves often push forward with hope against hope, we are called to bear personal witness to the glory of God in Jesus and live out our days by, in, and for the sake of the Gospel. If we do, we are given the full protection of God’s everlasting covenant. The gift of Lent is the time to explore these three Rs: Reflect, Repent, and Re-start our true and faithful life. Plus another R, Reward, begins in this life and grows in the next.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God Almighty, fill us with the faithfulness of Abraham and guide us to seek the names You give to our souls. Open us to receive, and accept, the bond of Your everlasting covenant, as we give witness to Your saving deeds with our own faith, our praise, and our action.

                                                   O Lord of Presence and Promise

RESPONSE:    Set our minds on You        

~ O God Almighty, infuse the leaders of our Planet, our Country, and our Community with reason, justice, and humanity, that they may govern with clarity of judgment and charity of spirit. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       Set our minds on You

~ O God Almighty, hear the cries and grant Your healing grace to all who are ill in body, mind, or spirit, and grant respite for those who tend their needs. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       Set our minds on You    

~ O God Almighty, we commend to Your care all who sleep in the earth, yet whose souls You give life to again, in Your everlasting peace and glory. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       Set our minds on You

~ O God Almighty, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       Set our minds on You        

~ O God Almighty, nourish the faith of all who lead us in Your Church with the Gospel’s unchangeable Truth, as they walk with us toward salvation in Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       Set our minds on You

The Celebrant adds: God of Abraham, Sarah, and all Your People, You promise us life unending and love without limit for the mere price of our enduring faith. We come to You imperfect, yet willing to use these days of Lent and beyond, for resisting the temptations of this life in exchange for bliss and blessedness in the next. We ask this through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and Your Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier, who live and reign with You, One God, forever and ever.  Amen.

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Meditation Moments: Lent Begins, Don't Just Give Up! ~ Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022

    The fronds from last year's Palm Sunday have been burned to ash. And while Mardi Gras, which literally means Fat Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday, has not been the usual carnival of food and parades again this year, many of us still may have had a good filling of pancakes, or candy, or some other pre-Lenten treat. Yesterday was also Shrove Tuesday as we are soon to be shriven, that is, absolved of our misdeeds great and small, if we present ourselves for confession, repentance, and penance. And now, Lent.

         The word "Lent" comes from the old Anglo-Saxon language and essentially means "lengthen" as in the days lengthening in the Spring. Of course, in the Southern Hemisphere, the days are shortening so the perspective is a little different. However, we who are Christians from the Roman, Orthodox, or Anglican traditions all observe the same 40 days of Lent. It is to mirror the 40 days and nights Jesus spent alone in the wilderness, after his Baptism by John, being tempted by Satan, in preparation for the official start of his ministry that began when he returned.  

        Sundays are in Lent, rather than of Lent. A picky detail but if you've ever counted the days from Ash Wednesday to Easter....more than 40 days because Sundays aren't actually counted as they are in other liturgical seasons. 
        Even if you are not a church-goer, or in a denomination that experiences Lent, for someone who has faith, or wants to have faith, or whose faith has been shaken or is shaky, Lent is a season to rediscover our relationship with God and renew our commitment to it. It is a time for reflection of our past actions, our genuine intentions, and the repair of our souls. Some of us will be marked on our foreheads this day with the sign of the cross in the palm ashes. This is an outward sign of and inward recognition of our human mortality. Christian or not, we all know the expression Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust. No matter how high one reaches in life, or how low, we all return to dust.

        During these 40 days, some of us will enter into a period of dedicated fasting, prayer, and self-denial. Some will give up things such as chocolate, alcohol, or cigarettes, some will take on activities such as daily meditation or volunteer work. Some will give up and take on. Some will begin in earnest and maintain their discipline and others will fall away in distraction or be a bit haphazard. There's no right or wrong way to do Lent when you are intentional about wanting to be closer to God. Whatever your mode, with or without you, Lent begins...

             Create in me a clean heart, O God, and help me find my way back to You. While I would like to show my good intentions by grand repentant gestures and worthy pious activity, I have to be honest here as I know I'm not likely to stick with a full on heavy discipline for 40 whole days. So, for today, please help me clean my heart and restore my soul in other smaller ways such as with patience to give up arguing a point on Facebook and take on being mindful of my thoughts, emotions, and actions while driving and in the grocery store line. Dear Lord of all Peoples, on each day of this Holy Lent ~ and beyond ~ let me understand and live into the words You have given us through Jesus:

"Forgive us our sins AS we forgive those who sin against us."  

             Perhaps that could change us all for the better.  

For all this we pray. Amen.

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Prayers of the People: Good News! ~ First Sunday in Lent '21 Yr B

For Sunday, February 21, 2021, Readings: Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-9, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15

   God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you...and every animal of the earth with you...and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."  [Genesis 9:9-11, 15b]

        To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul, my God I put my trust in you...for You are the God of my salvation...All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness... [Psalm 25: 1a, 2b, 9a]

     ...in the days of Noah...a few, that is, eight persons were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you... [1 Peter 3:20b-21a]

         In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan...And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan...and the angels waited on him...after John was arrested, Jesus came...saying...repent, and believe in the good news. [Mark 1:9,12-13, 14a, 15b]

      From the receding waters of The Flood, to the baptismal waters of the Jordan, and on into the Judean wilderness, we journey this week through the various stages of God's continuing covenant through signs, symbols, and messengers. 

     God makes a covenant (promise) with Noah and his sons and gives the rainbow as a sign by and for God as a reminder of that promise to us all, God included. Who knew God needed a sticky note just like the rest of us? I always marvel at rainbows and even though I know rationally it's just a refraction of light through micro water droplets, the fact that a full spectrum of color appears gives me a more mystical experience, an inward sense of Presence, and my own sticky note of remembrance of the sign given to Noah.

      And when we are feeling less than adequate in expressing our prayers, the Psalmist paves the way and reminds us of all the ways we can ask God to help us, all the ways that God does help us and, that All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. It is in God’s unfailing and unchanging Being that we may place our fragile trust. 

     The author of 1st Peter begins his letter with the reason for Christ’s suffering, which is in order to bring you to God. He goes on in the next few verses (vv 18b-20) that seem strangely difficult. In saying that Jesus was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, we stumble upon an answer to an old and perhaps not fully formed question from our recitation of The Apostles’ Creed. The current translation of that Creed says that after Jesus died on the cross He descended to the dead. In earlier times the Creed said he descended into hell…How curious, I wondered as a child and beyond, why would Jesus descend to hell?

     What the writer seems to be saying in a convoluted way (to my mind) is that when he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison (descended into hell or to the dead), those drowned by the Flood, he gave them the Good News that as they didn’t know any better in former times, they were also now saved. The waters of the Flood prefigures Baptism, says 1st Peter, and tells us that our baptism is an appeal to God for a good conscience. We do the promising this time around, and it counts even if done by others on our behalf. (By the way, the Nicene Creed, earlier and now, simply says Jesus suffered death and was buried.)  

      Speaking of Baptism, we revisit the Baptism of Jesus in Mark’s journalistic approach, concisely and succinctly, no frills. After which the Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted before returning to fulfill his mission and ministry to bring us to God. The season of Lent mirrors the 40 days of his experience. 

      The wilderness in our day can be any time that we feel lost and alone, isolated by others or even by ourselves. Of course, in these times of Pandemic, many are in an imposed wilderness of separation with decreasing hope. We also enter a sense of isolation when we feel unworthy and /or riddled with a sense of guilt for real or imagined sins. Lent is a designated opportunity to actively engage in a relationship with Jesus. By intentionally entering a kind of spiritual desert to reflect and examine our faith, we seek ways to be more dedicated to God wherever we are in our life circumstances. It is a time to recognize and acknowledge all those earthly enticements and everyday idols that distract us from our good intentions and draw us away from committing ourselves to a life more centered in Christ.

     We need not take this journey alone, we can walk the path together through individual and communal prayer, meditation, and reflection. Instead of just giving up chocolate, alcohol, or smoking, let's take on this wilderness journey together. Seek out and make a covenant with others for one-on-one discussions as prayer partners, or join a small group ~ start one yourself, there are plenty of resources around, various means, especially through zoom or other video chatting. The partnership can be face-to-face while socially distant, online in real time or even through phone conversations, email, or texts. Let us wait on each other as angels waited on Jesus, in our own space, in our own time, yet together in Christ. I will make myself a rainbow-colored sticky note for my mirror as a reminder of God's promise to all of us, the promises I've made to God, as well as those sharpening my good intentions that have wandered away in distractions. Repentance is a burdensome word yet it simply means to turn toward God. This is time, again, to repent and believe in the good news.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of our Salvation, awaken our senses to Your eternal covenant that embraces the whole of Creation, from the very ground we live on to all humankind and every living creature. Turn us from the pursuit of temporary pleasure to seek Eternal Life in the Spirit, through trust and faith in You.

                                                      Gracious, Loving Lord

                            RESPONSE:   We lift our souls to You

~ O God of our Salvation, grant us the wisdom and intent to speak with Christ’s voice to every political leader on this Earth, in this Country, and in this Community; and to join with and encourage all who work diligently for justice, mercy, peace, and the health of us all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Gracious, Loving Lord

                                                       We lift our souls to You

~ O God of our Salvation, ease the struggle for all who suffer the anguish of isolation, illness, or desperation; and sustain the energy of those who give them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       Gracious, Loving Lord

                                                       We lift our souls to You

~ O God of our Salvation, even as we grieve, we give praise and thanksgiving for those we love who have now risen in glory, to life eternal in You. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                       Gracious, Loving Lord

                                                       We lift our souls to You

~ O God of our Salvation, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                       Gracious, Loving Lord

                                                       We lift our souls to You

                  

~ O God of our Salvation, whisper Your wisdom again, deep into the hearts of all who are anointed to lead us in Your Church and, for the guidance to draw us ever stronger into community and communion with Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Gracious, Loving Lord

                                                       We lift our souls to You

The Celebrant adds: Living Lord of Compassion and Faithfulness, infuse us with the desire to use this season of Lent as as our own spiritual wilderness, for the cleansing of our hearts and souls through repentance, the examination and expansion of our faith, and the renewal of good conscience. We ask this through Christ, who suffered for the sins of us all, and the Holy Spirit, the breath of You in our souls, who together with You, reign as One God, over all Creation, forever and ever. Amen.

 

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Take a Hike ~ Last Sunday after the Epiphany '21 Yr B

For Sunday, February 14, 2021, Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9

     Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground...a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. [2 Kings 2:8, 11b]

     The Lord, the God of gods...Our God will come and not keep silence... [Psalm 50:1a, 3a]

     Even if the gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [2 Corinthians 4:3-4]

    And [Jesus] was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them...Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" 

[Mark 9:2b-3, 7]

      

        It isn't at all difficult, these days, to imagine the Transfiguration scene given all the special effects available for the making of films and television. How about in 3D IMAX?! And, while the Transfiguration is, most likely, the focal point for this week's sermons across many Christian pulpits, don't discard the other astounding moments we're given with Elijah. Ask your friends, "Where does the water get parted in the Bible?" It's a trick question, of course, so all the more fun! It is a moment easy to overlook but here it is: Elijah struck the water with his rolled mantle and the water was parted. It is surprising, to me, in its subtlety. No multitudes on a grand escape with a chasing army close on their heels. A simple: part the waters and walk on dry ground. And onto his ascension. 

       Many who don't know the Hebrew Testament know, at least, that someone named Elijah was carried to heaven in a chariot, one of fire pulled by horses of fire; think of the spiritual Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. But we sometimes don't equate that lift-off with ascension. Elijah didn't die. He just merely ascended to heaven in a whirlwind after parting the Jordan river with his cloak! Maybe we should look a little closer at Elijah. After all, as he appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration along with Moses, it seems he and Moses had a lot in common.

     There’s also Elisha, the heir apparent to Elijah, who repeated three times when Elijah said stay here… As the Lord and you yourself live, I will not leave you. Various prophets met them as they were hiking their way to the Jordan River and asked if Elisha knew his master was being taken away, 3 times Elisha replied, Yes I know; be silent. Imagine the sight of that chariot and the horses, the fire, and the whirlwind ~ would Elisha receive the inheritance he’d asked for? An epic story in so few paragraphs.

      The Psalmist is clear that God reveals himself in glory…Our God will come and will not keep silence and so we must watch and wait and know that God calls the heavens and the earth from above to witness the judgment of his people, are we prepared?

      Paul speaks of a veiled Gospel, that is, hidden from those who are perishing in the darkness of unbelieving. He tells us that the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. We are to seek the removal of our spiritual blinders that keep us tied to earth-bound distractions so to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord…the glory of God in the face of Jesus…

      Of course the main event this Sunday is The Transfiguration. It is one of the five major markers in the life of Jesus along with his Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Each event is spectacular in its own right and each gives rise to disbelief, even among those who were present. This particular Gospel moment is located high up on the holy ground of the Mountain; which specific mountain is a matter of discussion and debate among scholars and tour leaders. But let us be released from unbelief and the need for factual details. Be enveloped in the mystery, in the "shekinah" ~ the cloud of God's glory. 

      Jesus takes Peter, James, and John on a hike up a high mountain, presumably with no explanation. Suddenly he was transfigured…his clothes became dazzling white… What exactly does that mean? Transfigured and transformed though similar are different. Jesus transfigured, was an external change, an outward and visible sign of the Divinity co-existing within his Humanity. When we ask to be transformed, we are asking for an internal change, an inward attitude and motivation upgrade as to be transformed by the renewing of our minds [see Romans 12:2].   

     And then, Elijah and Moses appeared and the trio were having a conversation as a cloud [the shekinah] overshadowed them, and out of it came a voice, This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him! 

      I envision the Michaelangelo painting in the Sistine Chapel of Adam's finger nearly touching God's, and on this whichever Mountain, I can see a brilliantly radiant, lighted figure who is suddenly at the center where Human and Divine meet and connect within. A spark ignites and The Cloud surrounds, the Voice, the dazzling brilliance too hard to look at...take a moment to imagine, breathe all that in, and just sit with it.

       The Light of Christ is always on within us and in every moment of darkness or doubt if we choose to lift the veil. To reach the pinnacle of Christ shining through us we must listen, and follow the path, no matter how steep, rising, if only metaphorically, to a "thin place" where we encounter and experience the full Presence of God. It's time for us to pry open the eyes of our souls and, spiritually, take a hike.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, guide us away from earthly noise and distraction to consciously seek the lifting of the Gospel veil, that we may listen, and live according to Your Word and Wisdom, the dry and sacred ground of our being.

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

 RESPONSE:                   Shine Your Light in and through us 

~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, enfold the leaders of our Planet, our Country, and our Community in a double share of Your Spirit. Open all blinded minds by a heaven-sent whirlwind of spiritual fire to illuminate and beckon all to the path of Your truth, justice, and mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Shine Your Light in and through us                                         

~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, grant comfort and healing to all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and lighten the hearts of all who give care and support. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Shine Your Light in and through us

~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, ease the darkness of grief across this Earth for those we have sent ahead, who now live again in Your eternal radiance. We pray especially for… add your own petitions

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Shine Your Light in and through us

~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Shine Your Light in and through us

~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, enliven and excite the spirits of all who lead us in Your church, that they may be a luminous beacon to guide us across this life’s troubled waters toward the wholeness of eternal life in You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Shine Your Light in and through us

The Celebrant adds: God of gods, Lord of All That Is, infuse us with greater strength and purpose to faithfully reaffirm our covenant with You. Arouse our desire to ascend the highest peak our souls can reach, to be dazzled by the heart of Christ ~ where Divine and Human connect ~ and to be transformed in our own hearts and minds and wills. We ask through Jesus, the Beloved Face of God; and the Mystical Breath of the Holy Spirit within us; who together with You reign as One God, now and forever.  Amen.

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