The Transfiguration

Thursday, August 6, 2009 -- Week of Proper 13, Year One
The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer)

EITHER, the readings for Thursday, Proper 13, p. 978
Psalms [83] or 145 (morning) 85, 86 (evening)
2 Samuel 11:1-27
Acts 19:11-20
Mark 9:2-13

OR, the readings for the Transfiguration, p. 998
Morning Prayer: Psalms 2, 24 / Exodus 24:12-18 / 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Evening Prayer: Psalm 72 / Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 / John 12:27-36a

Since the readings for Thursday, Pr 13 include Mark's account of the Transfiguration, I chose that set of readings


The Transfiguration

Mountain: A place of thin air. Transcendent. Where you can see far off. Vision. Distant. Close to heaven. A new perspective away from the pressure of the close and immediate. Where the air blows strong. Nearer to the clouds and stars. Almost to heaven. Vast. Where we see the whole round earth. Far from the city. A place of solitude. With the birds of the air.

Dazzling: Radiant. Alive. Beautiful. Infused with energy and spirit. Bright. Enlightened. Glorious. Seeing the inner light. Presence. Is it real? It seems real. But so much more. Hope.

Moses and Elijah: The Law and the Prophet. The founder of the community and the conscience of the community. Moses stopped before the burning bush to see, to really see. What he saw was the transfigured radiance of God's presence... in a bush. He led the people to their liberation and formed them in the wilderness to become a community. Elijah, the one who appears to hearken the Messiah. The prophet of rain, storm, thunder, and lightning; who announces drought; who calls down fire; who flees to the wilderness; who challenges our superstitions; who knows God in the sound of sheer silence. The chariot of fire lifts him alive into heaven.

The Cloud: Mystery and presence. Overshadows. Conceals and reveals. Awe. The covering that gives insight. The knowing beyond seeing. Being. Breathing. Damp and dripping with God. No landmarks. No direction. When you can't see where you are or where you are going. Eternally the same in every direction. Alone. Fearful and wonderful.

The Voice: Hearing from the cloud. Knowing. Is it sound or deeper than sound? Is it from within or without? Or both? Rumbling thunder. Intuitive lightning. Insight. Meaning. Understanding. Is it real? It seems real. But so much more so. Listen. Hope.

The Ordinary: Everything just looks the same. Was that real? Which is real? Vision or ordinary? Which is more real? The question is, will I just forget it or treasure it? Coming down the mountain. Back to the near and close. People. Short vision. Earth. Grounding. What can't be told? What can? Things are still the same. Suffering. They still do to Elijah whatever they please. The immediate demand. The rush of the urgent. Now. Attention. Do it and do it quickly. Not enough time; not enough space; not enough light. Heavy air.

We didn't "make three dwellings." There is no shrine. Will we remember?

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html


The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas