Month: February 2022

The Transfiguration of Our Lord
Last Sunday after the Epiphany
Year C

February 27 ,2022
First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99 
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Gospel: Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a] 

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, forever and ever. Amen

Be Changed into His Likeness

Imagine Jesus on a normal day, walking with three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John.

Jesus had taken the three disciples with him to the mountain while he prayed.

Jesus appears to them to be normal… when he asked them to come with him, but this was far from an ordinary morning, or an ordinary walk, because, as he prayed a light that appeared was so bright, it was almost blinding.

We all at one point in our lives have looked at a light, so bright, that we had to look away or close our eyes, because, it was so bright.

For the disciples right before their eyes, and while he prayed, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

The disciples, Peter, James, and John were tired, as a matter of fact, they were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they were able to see his glory. 

And

Suddenly they see Elijah and Moses talking to Jesus…they were so terrified by this, that Peter, not really knowing what else to say…says, Master or “Rabbi, maybe we shouldn’t be here, do you want us to go and prepare three dwelling places, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”? 

This may have been his way to honor them, by putting up three dwelling areas of worship for them.

Then, a great cloud overshadowed them…and a voice came from the cloud.

“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

Let’s go back, they climb this mountain and are separated from the other disciples, then Jesus is transformed before them in bright light, and two of God’s greatest, are there talking to Jesus about his own departure, his own exodus, the new exodus, that leads to his death, resurrection, and ascension.

Next comes the shadow of heavy clouds and a Thundering voice out of the clouds….” This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 

After this transformation, Jesus was found alone, how do you think he was feeling? Did he feel any different? The transfiguration is an important moment, it is set on the mountain, where the human meets God and Jesus is the connection.

They start down the mountain and when they reach everyone else…they say nothing, they kept silent.

I think they talked coming down and they agreed to this, who would believe them and how would they explain it…after all Jesus is still there and they don’t really know what is going on! 

But it is a key to the fact, that the identity of Jesus as the Son of God is reviled to some of his disciples.

Peter, James, and John have experienced the past, the present, and the future all in an instance.  

Conclusion:

I wonder how we would find that experience? I would hope we would be transformed in our own lives.

It is possible, that some of us have had different experiences in life, maybe not as clear and involved as the three disciples, but we… all have had our own time on the mountain of life. 

We all have connected to God in different ways, through experiences of our own, through our faith.

And there are people who are still waiting for that one experience in life, that will help transform their lives, and believe more than they do. 

We will have times in our lives when our faith is being tested and challenged. It is not until we faced our own mountain to climb, the challenges and struggles, so we can discover our courage and then we are able to understand, that we will always rely on the Lord’s strength to give us confidence.

Jesus will always be there to help us transform ourselves, we can’t just have one experience and then say, okay, I made it, and I can stop there. 

No, we have to come down the mountain with him and turn around and go back up again and again.

There is plenty of growing to do, and we have to be ready for that invitation from Jesus to go. 

Keeping a strong spiritual life will help us to be ready when he says, come, we have another mountain to climb.

God spoke twice, when Jesus was baptized and, in this scripture, God says, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

Listen to him in Sunday worship, listen to him when reading the scriptures, Listen to him when you’re in personal prayer.

Say to yourself every morning…Lord I am Listening! Let yourself be transformed. Be changed into his likeness.

Amen
The Reverend Lola Culbreath

The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple
Year C
February 6, 2022

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 84 or 84: 1-6
Second Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
Gospel: Luke 2:22-44

My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, is to officially, to induct him into Judaism, and that is celebrated by many Christian Churches with the Candlemas…like we had this morning.

Malachi 3:1-4

I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to the temple.

Gospel: Luke 2:22-44

Following the Commands of God:  

The Holy Family has come to Jerusalem, the big city of many people. 

The law says, that the first male is sacred. Jesus is to be presented in the Temple, an important tradition in Judaism. 

Mary has given birth 40 days ago and she has to wait to go to the temple for purification.

I close my eyes and imagine the sights, the smells, the sounds of Jerusalem. They are selling and trading goods, the markets are busy! As this family moves through the city… do you think there is just…

Maybe…. a little excitement on their part, because they know their son is special and they want to follow what God’s Word has commanded them to do, their bringing the Child to be presented in the Temple, in obedience to the Torah. 

I think of it today… when a family is preparing their child for baptism or their first communion. How excited the entire family would be.

Along the way, they need to pick up a couple of turtledoves or two young pigeons, as an offer of a sacrifice, according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, and the turtledoves or young pigeons is all they could afford.

Two Prophets:

In the temple, we have two prophets……. waiting patiently for Israel’s people to be restored and looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

As Joseph Mary and baby Jesus enter Jerusalem, there is a very old man named Simeon.

The scriptures tell us, this man was righteous and devout, and he is looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit…rested on him.

The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah and The Holy Spirit led this righteous man, to the temple; where he waited years.

Also, in the temple is Anna, she is very old herself, and for years she has never left the temple, she worshiped there fasting and praying night and day.

The Holy Family is met by Simeon first, who sees them “Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; “for my eyes have seen your salvation” which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people of Israel.”   

Simeon has been promised that he will see the Messiah, the Christ, whose name means salvation and promise. 

He has waited decades with hope and trust and the fulfillment of God’s promise.

I don’t think it was because he could finely die and be set free to go in peace, but the promise of salvation for all God’s people. 

Anna, at the moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Holy Family is faithful to the Law of Moses, and…the two prophets, devoted and dedicated to God’s promise.  

Conclusion:

In our ancient biblical days having occurred a long time ago, they wanted and waited for the messenger of God to come into the temple.

They waited for years, decades, and when you go by biblical years maybe centuries.  

We can’t wait 10 minutes in lines at the store or bank. We want fast food, faster service, faster internet…. can you imagine if we had to wait, so “our” world and lives could be restored?

The New Year is well on its way, we are looking to the promises of God to bless us with a new and healthy new year because we have a loving heavenly Father who wants only good things for us, and a Lord and Savior who is with us in our good times and in bad times too. 

Today, right now, we have received Jesus in the Temple of our “hearts”. Keep in mind that God is still at work, we know when prayers are not answered as soon as we need them answered, it’s in God’s time, he continues preparing us for the gifts he has given us and prayers will be answered.

He dwells within each of us, we give thanks today, that we have our salvation, because God allowed Jesus into our lives. Good things come to those who wait, just like Anna and Simeon.

We do not have to wait for Jesus to come…but we have to show up! 

“In order for our eyes to see our salvation”, given to us!

Amen
The Rev. Lola Culbreath