Last Sunday After the Epiphany

Last Epiphany - The Transfiguration

The Collect 

 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.

 Old Testament Exodus 34:29-35 

 

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him. 

 

Psalm 99 

1 The LORD is King; 

let the people tremble; *

 he is enthroned upon the cherubim; 

let the earth shake. 

 2 The LORD is great in Zion; * 

he is high above all peoples. 

3 Let them confess his Name, 

which is great and awesome; * 

he is the Holy One. 

 4 "O mighty King, lover of justice, 

you have established equity; * 

you have executed justice 

and righteousness in Jacob." 

5 Proclaim the greatness of the LORD 

our God and fall down before his footstool; * 

he is the Holy One. 

 6 Moses and Aaron

 among his priests, 

and Samuel among those who call upon his Name, * 

they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. 

 7 He spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *

 they kept his testimonies and the 

decree that he gave them. 

 8 O LORD our God, you answered them indeed; * 

you were a God who forgave them, 

yet punished them for their evil deeds. 

 9 Proclaim the greatness of the LORD our God 

and worship him upon his holy hill; * 

for the LORD our God is the Holy One. 

 The New Testament 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 

 

Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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. Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 

The Gospel Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a] 

Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he 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 at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. [On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.]

A Litany for Transfiguration Sunday

Loving Creator you bring light into darkness

waking the world every new day with hope

you give us new visions and new insights

when we find ourselves struggling and alone.

Lord, help us to witness your love and serve in your name.

Our world is terrorized by greed and war

our relatives are bent over with great grief

the nations cry out for a renewing of peace

and we are on our knees in prayer for all.

Lord, help us to witness your love and serve in your name.

The weak are being crushed by the mighty

yet you are always with the poor and destitute

call us to those places where your love goes

and draw us to the people who need your light.

Lord, help us to witness your love and serve in your name.

You went up the mountain to prepare for Jerusalem

and came down again to heal the young child.

Lord, help us to witness to your love and serve in your name.

You showed your disciples your true and holy self

revealing the eternal love and relationship of all.

Lord, help us to witness to your love and serve in your name.

Creator, you are eternal and we are embedded in your heart

help us to be strong for your service in the days ahead.

Lord, help us to witness to your love and serve in your name.