The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, February 19, 2023 — Transfiguration Sunday

 

The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Transfiguration Sunday

God of Awe and Glory
Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Opening Statement

Transfiguration Sunday is the last Sunday before Lent. It is a time to celebrate the revelation of Christ to people of faith, a time to connect the glory of God revealed to Moses on Sinai to the glory of God in Christ revealed to Jesus’ disciples. It is also a time of transition from Jesus’ work of teaching and healing to the journey of Lent.

The story of Moses’ mountain ascent to receive God’s commandments is juxtaposed with the story of Jesus’ mountain ascent when he was transfigured in the midst of his disciples. The presence of Moses and Elijah on the mountain with Jesus emphasizes his continuity with the ongoing story of God’s journey with the people of God. Images of light, of the shining glory of God, suffuse today’s readings. As Jesus is transfigured, his face shining like the sun, we see a new world in which God establishes justice and righteousness for all.

Opening Prayer
(based on Exodus 24, Matthew 17)

Holy One, Light of light, God of all creation, long ago you showed yourself to the disciples in Jesus’ transfiguration—his face glowing like a field of daffodils on a bright, spring morning. Shine in us, around us, and through us, that the world may see your glory in the faces of your people—faces transfigured in the light of your love. Amen.

The Collect
(from the Book of Common Prayers)

O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Call to Confession
(based on Exodus 24, Matthew 17)

Though we want to walk with Moses and see God’s holy radiance, we hide in the mist of our own desires, unable to perceive the presence of God’s grace. While we want a world of justice and peace, we walk in clouds of selfishness, unable to share God’s loving-kindness. Though we want to follow Jesus up the mountain, we cower in fear, unable to bear the light of God.

Assurance of Pardon
(based on Matthew 17)

In the blazing light of God’s grace, Jesus touches us to say, “Get up and do not be afraid.” In the name of Christ, all is forgiven. Amen.

Today’s Verse-of-the-Day:
1 John 4:11-12

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Love is not merely a feeling—it is Jesus living in and through us. If we say we believe in God and are maturing in our relationship with Him, but we are not growing in our unconditional love for others, something is wrong with our walk (1 Cor. 13). This is because as Jesus increases in us and we decrease, His loving nature should intensify within us as the evidence of His lordship in our life (Gal. 5:22, 23; 2 Pet. 1:3–8).

Today’s Lectionary Readings:
From the Pentateuch
Exodus 24:12-18
Moses enters the cloud of God’s glory

24:12 The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”

13 Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God. 14 He said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute can go to them.”

15 When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, 16 and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from within the cloud. 17 To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. 18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 2
The one begotten of God
Quare fremuerunt gentes?

Why are the nations in an uproar?
Why do the peoples mutter empty threats?

Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt, and the princes plot together,
against the LORD and against his Anointed?

“Let us break their yoke,” they say;
“let us cast off their bonds from us.”

He whose throne is in heaven is laughing;
the Lord has them in derision.

Then he speaks to them in his wrath,
and his rage fills them with terror.

“I myself have set my king
upon my holy hill of Zion.”

Let me announce the decree of the LORD:
he said to me, “You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.

Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance
and the ends of the earth for your possession.

You shall crush them with an iron rod
and shatter them like a piece of pottery.”

And now, you kings, be wise;
be warned, you rulers of the earth.

Submit to the LORD with fear,
and with trembling bow before him;

Lest he be angry and you perish;
for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Happy are they all
who take refuge in him!

Heavenly Father, from our perspective, we live in an uncertain world and do not know what tomorrow will bring. But with You, nothing is uncertain or unpredictable. We trust in You and Your loving reign over all creation. We thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, into our world and giving Him the place of honor as Lord over all and the King of kings. We look forward to that day when every eye will see that He reigns from one end of the earth to the other. And now we ask, fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and help us to share the good news of Your grace and salvation with everyone, Amen.

From the Second Epistle of Peter

to the various Churches in Asia Minor
2 Peter 1:16-21
Shining with the glory of God

1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Gospel Acclamation
(based on Luke 9:35)

Alleluia. This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him. Alleluia!

Today’s Gospel Reading
Matthew 17:1-9
Christ revealed as God’s beloved Son

17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

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.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Here end the Readings

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

• We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

• And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.

• And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Holy Communion

A nondenominational serving of bread and wine

Though no video can truly replace the experience of celebrating together in our places of worship, we know that where two or more are gathered, the Lord is present. This table is open to all who recognize Jesus Christ as healer and redeemer. This table is open to all who work to bring God’s Kingdom here on earth. No one is turned away because of life circumstances. No one is barred from this table. No one seeking God’s abundant grace and mercy is turned aside. We see before us the abundance that a life of faith offers as we respond to God’s everlasting mercy in prayer and deed.

Benediction
(based on 2 Peter 1, Matthew 17)

When Jesus’ glory is revealed to us, we become transformed. We are not who we were before. Walk in light and truth. See the light of Christ in every face. Be renewed and be radiant. Be the light of Christ to all you meet. Go as Christians illumined by the glory of God in Christ. Amen.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets].

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Responsive Readings from the Common Book of Prayer (1789).

The Daily Lectionary is a three year cyclical lectionary. We are currently in Year A. Beginning with the first Sunday of Advent in 2023, we will be in Year B. The year which ended at Advent 2022 was Year A. These readings complement the Sunday and festival readings: Thursday through Saturday readings help prepare the reader for the Sunday ahead; Monday through Wednesday readings help the reader reflect and digest on what they heard in worship. Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings, copyright © 2005 Consultation on Common Texts. www.commontexts.org
The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, February 19, 2023
Transfiguration Sunday
Exodus 24:12-18; Psalm 2; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9

“The Transfiguration” The Gospel Message for Sunday, February 19, 2023 — Transfiguration of the Lord

Our Gospel message comes to us today from Matthew the 17th chapter, beginning at the 1st verse.

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

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.”

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” (Matthew 17:1-9, NIV)

All mighty God, we thank you for your Word and the way that you in it revealed to us who you are and what you’ve done for us in Christ. Now, as we open that Word, we pray that your Spirit may be present, that all thoughts of worry or distraction may be removed and that the Spirit will allow us to hear your voice. And so, oh God, fill us with your spirit through the reading and proclamation of your Word this day. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

“The Transfiguration”

Everyone has insights and experiences wherein the veil of ordinariness is briefly rolled back, and we see into an object, person, or event. We see it or him or her, them, in a way we never saw it before. We see it in a broader context than what maybe others seeing the same things do not see. We might really see the beauty of a flower, a flower we had looked at a hundred times before, but now it is its extraordinariness we grasp. We may know the truth about something or someone, a truth that had, up until then, eluded us. We may see the goodness of a person or an event, a goodness others might not only not see but actually see as bad. All these experiences are insights into reality without the external appearances of reality being changed. The change takes place in the person who is doing the perceiving.

Indeed, the Transfiguration scene was an insight. But it was more than that. First of all, three people, not counting Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, had the same experience at the same time. While that experience was an insight into the real Jesus, it was also a physical vision of an objectively changed reality, changed before their physical eyes and not merely their faith eyes. Since they would have been able to ask each other, “Did you see what I saw?” and get the same answer, we can conclude that this was an experience on level one, the level of earth, time, space, and the physical level. Yet, at the same time, the fact that they all heard the heavenly voice, the same voice and message Jesus heard at his baptism, means that this experience, though physical, was also a spiritual one, one that entered and affected their inner beings. Clearly, this was a preview of, a sneak peek at, a sampling of the resurrected life. That life will be physical in some yet-to-be-disclosed way. What is disclosed here is that our bodies will be transformed to fit the divine realm but not so transformed that we will not be able to communicate or to be recognized as the unique individual we are. At the same time that life will be, what is the best Word for it? Supernatural, numinous, physical without being solid. What is now perceived as “ordinary,” that is, without glory, will then glow. There will be no need for insight then, for reality will not be hidden but glorious, radiant, revealed, and obvious. There will be no need for faith either, for all will be simultaneously seen in all its dimensions.

So, for all their vision of the reality of Jesus as he really is, the disciples still need faith and insight for the time being. The three disciples had a religious experience in which the ordinariness of reality took on a dimension of splendor. Everything was seen under a bright light, and its hidden glory became visible to both the naked eye and the eye of faith. Incredible as it was, it did not last. They got a glimpse of glory, a sneak peek, a preview of resurrected life, but only for a brief moment. Alas, they would have to come down from this mountain experience and live once again on the molehill of ordinary time. And in ordinary times, they will learn they always have the Word with them, the glory of God contained and hidden in God’s expressed mind and will. The same glorious reality they experienced on the mountain is present on the molehill, just as real and potentially powerful if they would but listen. Seeing the divine is reserved for heaven and very special earthly occasions, but hearing the divine in the Word of God is always possible and available.

“Mountain” experiences, “religious” experiences, “aesthetic” experiences, and “truth” experiences cannot be conjured up. There is no known method to produce them. They are gifts that are given to us at the moment. But they can be remembered. They can help us intuitively see the glory hidden in the ordinary and help to bring it out, but they cannot substitute for the Word, which is always present and which needs to be brought out in actions and attitudes. We sometimes pray for God to reveal himself visibly, to confirm our trust by a visible, emotionally felt sign. This story teaches that even if he did—and he sometimes does—it would not make much difference. If we have a “mountain” experience, remembering it will make a difference. It will strengthen our faith and resolve, enabling us to see the endpoint. But remembering the Word, however, will do the same thing. “Mountain” experiences are nice but unnecessary. Visions are no substitute for faith in the Word. With the brutal realism of Jesus, we are to listen to him and follow in his steps, confident that what the disciples saw—the hidden glory that Jesus always had we shall see and experience at the eternal Easter. For God is always present and present everywhere. Seen or not, God was always present in Jesus, as Jesus is now in us. Jesus was intensely, always and everywhere, aware of the divine presence within him, even though we are not. The same Jesus who was revealed in transfigured glory is present in his revealed Word, as is the same divine glory.

Extraterrestrial phenomena: It is impossible to tell precisely what happened from this story. We cannot tell how much is a physical fact and how much is a metaphor or spiritual fact. That said, there is no doubt that this is a story that wants to say something “extraterrestrial” happened. This was a sight and not merely an insight. Such phenomena do occur, and we simply cannot explain them. Some merely rule out the notion that reality exists on other levels than our own and deny even the possibility that visions of other dimensions of reality can occur. But even those of us who are open to these other dimensions know that such visions or experiences do not really produce faith. They may and should strengthen faith, but not necessarily or automatically so. The three disciples in this account do not seem to have had any noticeable change in their ability to put faith in Jesus after this vision. In fact, it was only after Jesus’ resurrection that they understood what they experienced, and only then could they even talk about it. Believers know that there is at least one extraterrestrial world, heaven, and most believers are open to the possibility that there are even more worlds out there in space and even on earth. Indeed, knowing what we now know through the study of psychology, we would say there are even “worlds” within a person. What believers also know is that such discoveries will not affect faith or render faith unnecessary so long as we live in this dimension. Glimpses into other dimensions are wonderful indeed, but it is really the ever-present and available Word of God that really reveals the “inside” of God and our relationship with him. When the disciples came down the mountain and re-entered ordinary reality ordinary as we perceive it, the vision was gone, but the Word, Jesus, was still present. So it is with us.

The meaning of the Transfiguration: The transfiguration, like all truly religious experiences, is both a real event and an anticipation of future glory. In this case, it is an anticipation of the resurrection glory of Jesus, including our share in it. It gave these three most intimate friends of Jesus a glimpse of the not-yet historically risen Lord to help them get through the upcoming rough days. It assured them that despite apparent abandonment by God, Jesus is God’s Son and Servant. He will be successful. As a revelation of the hidden quality of Jesus’ life, the transfiguration was a guarantee not only of later glory but also of the present quality and strength of their own life when Jesus would be raised and be enabled to enter into them through his Spirit. This intense quality of life can, will, and does shine through in the life of a disciple, especially during prayer. However, it will never replace suffering in this life. We can no more skip the cross than did Jesus, even though we, like him at Gethsemane, would want to. We can ascend the mountain to get our eternal vision back, but we must come back down. All we really have is Jesus’ Word, a living word, a word we are called upon to en-flesh again in this world now that Jesus’ bodily person has transcended to the eternal world.

Trans-: “Trans” is Latin for “across. “Whether we transfigure, transcend or transform, we go across one boundary into another. Christians still live within the boundary of time and space, but they have also transited by identification and communion with Christ into the “boundaries” of the realm of God. Because we live in both worlds simultaneously, our focus and attention shift back and forth and can drive us a little crazy at times. We do have our moments when concentration on God’s presence lifts us temporarily out of this earthly world. We call it “ecstasy,” but mostly, they are but fleeting glimpses of a later permanent experience of the glory of God. The presence of God is always there; the “glory,” that is, the felt presence of God, for now, comes and goes.

Let us pray: At the Transfiguration, Father, You showed Jesus in glory, a glimpse of what His disciples would see in His risen life. Bless us in our humanity with an awareness of Your presence, leading us to share in Your divine life even in our daily struggles. Help us to deepen our knowledge of the Law and the Prophets, channels of Your grace throughout history, and signposts for our journey. Amen.

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The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Sermon contributed by Rev. Dr. Jerry Morrissey.
Certainly the Transfiguration scene was an insight. But it was more than that. Something “extraterrestrial” happened.

The Morning Prayer for Sunday, February 19, 2023

 

The Morning Prayer
Sunday, February 19, 2023

We have come to know and believe the love God has for us. God is love. If you live in love, you live by the help of God and God lives in you.
1 John 4:16, NLV

Lord our God, we come to you as poor, heavily burdened people who often do not know where to turn. But we have trust in you, for you are love. Your love penetrates deep into our lives, righting what is wrong and making amends for our blundering. And so we are joyful and await your grace and your help on all our ways. Bless us, and help us find what is right in every situation, to your praise and your honor. Amen.

Verse of the Day for Sunday, February 19, 2023

 

Verse of the Day
Sunday, February 19, 2023

1 John 4:11-12

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Love is not merely a feeling—it is Jesus living in and through us. If we say we believe in God and are maturing in our relationship with Him, but we are not growing in our unconditional love for others, something is wrong with our walk (1 Cor. 13). This is because as Jesus increases in us and we decrease, His loving nature should intensify within us as the evidence of His lordship in our life (Gal. 5:22, 23; 2 Pet. 1:3–8).

Read all of First John Chapter 4

Listen to First John Chapter 4

Scripture from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Travel the World from Home — Mt. Hermon: Getting God Completely Wrong By Mistake

 

The Holy Land:
Connecting the Land with Its Stories
Mt. Hermon: Getting God

Completely Wrong By Mistake
Season 3 — Episode 1

What comes to mind when you think of The Holy Land? Probably not ski lifts climbing up snow-covered mountains!

Mt. Hermon, though, which plays a role in biblical stories from the Old Testament all the way through the gospels, is so high that it creates its own weather…including snow!

“The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories” Season 3 is a nine-episode series hosted by Dr. John (Jack) Beck that takes you to the Jordan River Valley systems to experience the land, the culture, and the customs that surround the sacred stories of the Bible.

In Episode 1, Dr. Jack Beck takes us to the top of this formation’s white peaks to the pagan ruins at its base to explore just how easy it is to get God wrong.

Season 3 — Episode 1 | Mt. Hermon: Getting God Completely Wrong By Mistake