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Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155
Feast of the Transfiguration
Theme: As we celebrate let us consider what transfiguration means for our lives as followers of Jesus.
Opening Prayer: May we be inspired today with a renewed vision of the glory manifest in transformative moments so that we and all people of faith may walk as people of light and, with grace and courage, reveal Divine Love to the world. May we bring wisdom in our ministry to others, healing renewal to those with traumatic and wounded hearts and minds, and empowerment to those trying to make a difference in the world. Amen.
Opening Song: May the Christ Light Shine by Kathy Sherman, CSJ
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading: A reading from Rev. William Wallace, Progressive Methodist Minister
When we come to a point of awareness, a point of enlightenment, a point of great spiritual insight the inner light of our spirit is reflected in our whole body and can be perceived by those close to us.
Divisions and dualisms melt; life and death, past and present become as one. The cloud of enlightenment is a cloud of inclusiveness and so there is the presence of the shadow as well as the dazzling whiteness, a shadow of mystery and of unknowing that goes beyond any desire to limit the experience to concrete manifestations. An intrinsic part of the experience is an affirmation of ‘that of God’ which is within each person, the I AM. The enlightenment which Christ experienced did not lead him to become a reclusive world-denying mystic, but instead to become a prophetic life-affirming mystic, who immediately descended into the valley of the suffering and oppression of the ‘people of the land’.
These are the inspired words of Rev. William Wallace and we affirm them by saying, Amen.
Second Reading: A reading from the Second Letter of Peter
We did not cleverly devise fables when we taught you of the power and coming of our Savior Jesus Christ; we ourselves saw the majesty of our Savior. For Jesus was honored and glorified by our Creator God when the voice of the Majestic Glory spoke out, “This is my Own, whom I love, and with whom I am well pleased.” We heard this ourselves—this voice from heaven—when we were with Jesus on the holy mountain. Moreover, we have the prophetic word, which is even more certain. Depend on it for your own good as a light shining in the dark, until first light breaks and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Alleluia: Celtic Gospel Acclamation
Gospel: A reading from the Gospel of Matthew
Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James and John up on a high mountain to be alone with them. And before their eyes, Jesus was transfigured—his face becoming as dazzling as the sun and his clothes as radiant as light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said, “Rabbi, how good that we are here! With your permission I will erect three shelters here—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah!” Peter was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them. Out of the cloud came a voice which said, “This is my Own, my Beloved, on whom my favor rests. Listen to him!” When they heard this, the disciples fell forward on the ground, overcome with fear. Jesus came toward them and touched them, saying, “Get up! Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they did not see anyone but Jesus. As they were coming down the mountainside, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone about this until the Chosen One has risen from the dead.”
Shared Homily
Kathie Ryan is famous for using the phrase, “both/and”, and this week’s readings are another time when that phrase is most appropriate. Most often when we hear today’s gospel the emphasis is placed on the disciples experiencing the transfiguration of Jesus, and his being surrounded by light and the presence of Moses and Elijah. In addition, they hear a voice coming from the heavens proclaiming “This is my Own, my Beloved, on whom my favor rests. Listen to him!”
What an experience to have, a once in a lifetime experience, a peak experience. And yet, when Peter suggests putting up tents and staying there, Jesus heads down the mountain, back to everyday life. And he admonishes them to say nothing about their experience to anyone.
Rev. Wallace, in our first reading, states, “The enlightenment which Christ experienced did not lead him to become a reclusive world-denying mystic, but instead to become a prophetic life-affirming mystic, who immediately descended into the valley of the suffering and oppression of the people of the land”.
I imagine that each of us has had at least one peak experience in our lifetime. It might have been a spiritual experience that resulted in a transformation of how we see ourselves, being open to the love of the Divine. In my own experience, though not on a mountaintop, I felt the embrace of the Holy One that enveloped me and within I felt fully loved and at peace. But of course, like Jesus, the moment ends, and we return to our everyday experience where we, like Jesus, are called to work for justice and compassion.
Joyce Rupp says it this way, “when we open the door and go inside, God is there in the temple of our soul, in the ashram of our heart, in the cathedral of our being. Which is not to dismiss the reality of this same loving presence being fully alive in our external world. The Holy One is with us in all of life. Our purpose for opening the door inward is to help us know and claim who we are so we can more completely join with God in expressing this love in every part of our external world.
Rev. Kenneth Lasch offers, “the take away message is not complicated. We need to remain open to mountaintop experiences not to escape reality but to allow such experiences to transform us and enable us to remain faithful to true discipleship.” May we each be open to moments of transfiguration, allowing God to transform us over and over again, so that we may be a light unto the world bringing peace and wholeness to others.
Please share your thoughts on today’s readings and homily starter, if you are so moved.
Statement of Faith:
Please join in proclaiming our Statement of Faith.
We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery
beyond all definition and rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word,
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion,
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's
prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus
as a vehicle of divine love,
a source of wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One,
the life that is our innermost life,
the breath moving in our being,
the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now,
stretched out all around us for those
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it,
and hands to make it happen.
Prayers for the Community
Presider: As we prepare for this sacred meal we remember that just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. We bring to this table our blessings, our gratitude and our cares and concerns.
We bring to the table…..
We pray for these and all unspoken prayers and blessings. Amen.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Presider 2: Please join in praying the Eucharist prayer together:
Ever gentle God, as co-creators of our planet, we offer you the gifts of bread, wine and our lives. May we celebrate our oneness with all creatures great and small in your precious family.
As one with You, we gather as a community to celebrate your gift of life pulsating within and around us and in the glories of nature everywhere.
O Birthing God, you stirred the waters of creation; you dwell on earth, and in every living being. We lift up our hearts to you and with thanks and praise we sing:
Holy, Holy, Holy: Here in this Place – with lyrics – Christopher Grundy
All/Mary Theresa
Christ of the Cosmos, we thank you that there are 18 galaxies for every person, that our bodies are made of stardust. Every place we turn, you are present, loving us. You call us, “beloved” and invite us to join the dance of creation in a mystical celebration of our oneness with all living things in your divine love.
Christ of the Cosmos, we rejoice that You, who are more than we can imagine or dream of dwell in mystery beyond all comprehension. We remember that it was you, who said: “Anything I have done in the name of the Holy One, you can do, too…and even more.”
Please extend your hands in blessing.
We thank you for our brother, Jesus, who showed us so simply, so tenderly, how the world is in our hands. He had nothing in this world but your love, companions on the journey, and his very self. Together, that was more than enough, and that remains our clarity in the midst of confusion: the miracle of healing, new hope, nurturance, nourishment, liberation and life.
On the night before he died, while at supper with his friends, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to them saying,
Take and eat; this is my very self.
All lift their cup and pray the following:
He then raised high the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying: Take and drink.
Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you.
What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives,
As we share communion, we become communion
Both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.
Please receive communion with the words: You are a Light Unto the World
Communion Meditation: Be a Light ( lyrics ) by Thomas Rhett ft. Keith Urban, Chris Tomlin, Hillary Scott & Reba McEntire
All/Mary Theresa
Christ of the Cosmos, we remember Mary, mother of Jesus, faithful disciple and St. Francis who sang canticles to brother sun and sister moon. We remember our sisters and brothers, the great cloud of witnesses who have cared for earth’s creatures and have blessed our world with their loving service to God’s people.
We praise you in union with them
we awaken to your Spirit within,
Moving us to worship you truly,
O Holy One,
At this time and all time and in all ways.
Amen.
All/Mary Theresa: Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus:
Adapted from Miriam Therese Winter
O Holy One who is within, around and among us,
We celebrate your many names.
Your wisdom come; your will be done,
unfolding from the depths within us.
Oh, Each day you give us all that we need.
You remind us of our limits and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us,
and the celebration among us,
now and forever. Blessed be!"
Concluding Rite
All/Mary Theresa: Raise your hands in blessing.
Lover of the Universe, we are full of awe at your extravagant love flowing through all living things. We immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature that surrounds us each day. We are one with our brother Jesus, in union with the Holy Spirit.
Christ of the Cosmos is with us. And loves through us.
The blessing of God is upon us as we go in the peace of the Cosmic Christ to live justice and peace! Amen
Closing Song: Shine by Collective Soul
