Weekly Liturgy : February 9-15
- John
- Feb 9
- 3 min read
Matthew 17:1-9
NRSV
1-3 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5-8 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
REFLECTION
from John
It’s the final week of Epiphany, and in this text, we end where we started: with Jesus revealed as the beloved Son of God. And as the God-incarnate, beloved-Son, Jesus renders all of creation - you and me included - beloved too.
The beginning, middle, and end of God’s message to the world is thus the same.
Through Moses and the Law, God says: I love you (and your neighbor).
Through Elijah and the Prophets, God says: I love you (and your neighbor).
Through the Incarnation of Christ, God says: I love you (and your neighbor).
May we listen to the One who tells us so.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
If you responsible for making a decision or leading a collaborative effort, invite others to point out your blind spots by asking: “What am I missing?”
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
Do you anticipate anyone vulnerably expressing their honesty with you (critical or otherwise)? Prepare yourself to respond with gratitude and curiosity.
Pathway Toward Center
Activism (loving God by seeking change on behalf of the powerless):
Identify a demographic of powerless neighbors in your local or national community. This week, find a way to demonstrate your solidarity with those neighbors. e.g.: Write or call your government representatives. Attend a gathering or protest. Interrupt violence if you witness it.
Questions for Reflection
Does it change anything in you to consider that the way God looks at Jesus might be the way God looks at you (and your neighbor)?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
Copyright (C) 2023 Church at the Park. All rights reserved.
