Rev Bill

The Gospels passages that relate the story of The Transfiguration – Matthew 27:1-6, Mark 9:1-8, and Luke 9:28-36 — place it at a pivital moment in Jesus’ ministry — Peter has just made his confession that Jesus is the Christ and Jesus has just started teaching the disciples that He must die on the cross — even inviting them to follow Him in a life of self – giving sacrifice (Matthew 16:13-28, Mark 8:27-37, Luke 9:18-27).The Transfiguration is seen as the time God confirmed to the disciples (at least to Peter, James, and John) who Jesus was — and to follow Jesus to Jerusalem.

I like to emphasize Transfiguration Sunday because it helps us remember who Christ is for us — and helps us make the commitments we need to make for the upcoming season of Lent

I offer this prayer from the Presbyterian Church’s Book of Common Worship for this day:

O God, in the transfiguration of Your Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the witness of Moses and Elijah; and in the voice from the cloud You foreshadowed our adoption as Your children. Make us, with Christ, heirs of Your glory, and bring us to enjoy its fullness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.