The Transfiguration, an icon from the hand of Theophanes the Greek

Every year, God’s people remember how Peter, James, and John caught a glimpse of Glory. There they were on top of a mountain with Jesus. Suddenly, he is transfigured before them. His clothes shine with a dazzling brightness no one has ever seen. At this moment time shatters. Past, present, and future come together in holy communion. Jesus converses with Moses and Elijah, the faithful ones who came before to prepare the way. Peter starts making plans for them all to settle on the mountaintop when a voice from above overshadows them, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!”

The glimpse was just that … a glimpse … and with that, it’s gone.

The four come down the mountain. It’s time for Jesus and his followers to shine once again in the shadows of the valley. The glimpse was a gift, for strength and serving and sustaining through the dark times ahead. – Lisa <><

The Transfiguration of Jesus
Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9:28-36

It’s not a new message; I’ll wager that the greater percentage of the sermons preached on this text will offer a variation on the theme of navigating the transition from the mountaintop to the flatlands. And yet we need to keep practicing that transition, to keep rehearsing the journey that moves us from being recipients of wonder to becoming people who, transformed and—shall we say it?—transfigured by what we have received, can then offer these wonders to a broken world. – Jan Richardson, The Painted Prayerbook Blog

Prayer for Transfiguration Sunday
ONE:
Radiant Creator,
Strong, Wise, One,
Shine in our minds,
Enlighten our understanding of you and your ways
So we may do what is true and live in your light

ALL: Psalm 80:3 (NRSV)
Restore us, O God;
Let your face shine, that we may be saved.

ONE:
Breath of Life,
Refiner’s Fire,
Shine in our hearts,
Illumine every motivation and agenda,
Spark in us your compassion and reign

ALL: Psalm 80:3 (NRSV)
Restore us, O God;
Let your face shine, that we may be saved.

ONE:
Jesus, Messiah,
Light of the World,
Shine in our ways,
Make them like Yours
Lighthouses to reflect your love;
Faithful beacons of hope to guide others to you

ALL: Psalm 80:3 (NRSV)
Restore us, O God;
Let your face shine, that we may be saved.

time of silent prayer followed by The Lord’s Prayer

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prayer © 2012 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia. You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution. (by Lisa Degrenia, revlisad.com) Please leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.