February 3, 2008

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Last Sunday after Epiphany

Transfiguration Sunday   

Please read

Matthew 17:1-9

Read also read

Exodus 24:12-18

Psalm 99

2 Peter 1:16-21

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.

Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.

Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"
When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

.   Mountaintop Experience   .

Epiphany:

“a revealing scene or moment”

“an illuminating discovery”

“an intuitive grasp of reality

      through some thing or event,

      simple or striking”

“a usually sudden manifestation

      or perception

     of the essential nature of things.”

Sometimes it comes in a river bed,

Sometimes on a mountain top,

Sometimes on a cross.

It came that day to a select audience,

with a distinguished cast of characters

playing the  major roles,

Jesus in the middle, and

Elijah and Moses, flanking him,

tying together the ancient themes

of law and prophesy.

(A brief digression:

Sometimes our “bright ideas,”

like building temples to enshrine the past,  

become confused with epiphanies.

Don’t let them.  Move on quickly. 

Get back to the real thing)

It came that day amid descending clouds

that veiled the scene

and hid the face of One

who spoke affirming words,

imperative words.

Mountaintop experiences

can come at any time or place. 

All that is needed is

an awareness of the Presence,

and a confirming Voice saying,

This is my Son,

my Beloved.

Listen to Him”

In fear and awe we listen and we heed

And make our way down to the place of need.

We put aside the things that would unnerve us,

And view the pain, and do our daily service.

--- rvc                                                   

*** D I S C L A I M E R ***

The Weekly Lessons are based on the lectionary texts for the week – usually the Gospel lesson. They are not designed as a formal commentary.  Rather, they are the personal reflections and original compositions of The Relay Online editor, Rev. Robin Van Cleef, and offer a jumping off point, using the scriptures as triggers to thought, imagination, and (we hope) empowerment.  As you read them, let your own imagination play, and let the Spirit speak to you, leading you where it will.  The Gospel Lessons reflected on this site may not be copied, reproduced or otherwise manipulated elsewhere on the internet without the expressed consent of the author.  Please also note that while we're unable to quote Bible scripture on these pages, it is permissible to redirect our viewers to Bible passages using hyperlinks to web sites having that authority.

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