The Gospel of Mark 9:2-9
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Let us pray: Almighty God, at the Transfiguration you showed Jesus in a new state of glory and gave His disciples a glimpse of what they would see in his risen life. As we worship together week by week help us to get a glimpse of your heavenly kingdom as well as a deeper understanding of how your son, Jesus, can transfigure our broken and unfulfilled lives. This we pray in your Name. Amen.
After being at two celebrations of life in the last few weeks and several snow storms, one is ready for the newness and hope spring brings us. Spring almost feels like the transfiguration had to feel to those disciples who were with Jesus that day on the mountain. The brightness of the day baths us in sunlight like the Holy Spirit bathed Jesus in glorious brightness. When the earth transfigures from winter to spring, we feel things will be changed and we can feel a more sense of peace. Like the Transfiguration it gives us an experience of witnessing a most amazing and unspeakable change that draws us to want spring to last, to stay, and feel the warmth of the sun, enveloping us like the arms of Jesus. As we feel the arms of Jesus around us, we also need to take the time to listen, we can hear Him all around us in the bird’s songs and in the wind and in the silence. We need to remember the words of God, “This is my son, the Beloved; Listen to Him.”. Listen as he says again, “GO…make disciples.” Take that trip, respond to Christ’s invitation to the mountain top, have about you an air of joyous expectancy. And as we look forward to the season of Lent, the word Lent which comes from the Teutonic (Germanic) word for springtime, and can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him.
Let us Pray: May we know the love of the heavenly Father deep in our hearts May we understand our significance in the center of His family, and the bonds that hold us so close as brother and sister. May we understand the lengths that He was prepared to go for all mankind and freely respond in the Today which he has given for us to cherish. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 