Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Feb. 7, 2016
Moses with the Law (1818) , 19th century painting by Moritz Oppenheim
We mark the last Sunday of Epiphany by remembering the Transfiguration of Jesus. The prophet Moses appears in every reading, and so does the idea of the brilliant light of God’s glory. Today’s Gospel will show us Jesus transfigured with the prophets on the mountaintop; but first we remember Moses coming down from the mountain, his own face transfigured in light by his encounter with the Holy One.
Imagine the ancient Temple in Jerusalem ringing with the sound of choirs singing this Psalm to celebrate God as a mighty king? “Moses and Aaron were among the priests” of God, the Holy One of Israel. God is worshiped not as an earthly king but a powerful ruler who speaks out of clouds and fire, demanding justice for all, dealing out punishment when it’s needed, but ultimately forgiving all.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Paul reminds the people of Corinth about Moses’ face shining in the light of God’s glory. Then he turns the image around to make a new point: Moses had to veil his face to protect the people from more glory than they could handle. But through the new covenant that Jesus brings, the veil is set aside, and God’s full glory is unveiled for us directly. We, then are called to share that light in proclaiming the Good News of Jesus to the world.
Gospel: Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]
Jesus prays on the mountain, and suddenly Moses and Elijah join him, and Jesus’ face and clothing glow in God’s light. The apostles are amazed at first. But then, like the people’s reaction to God’s voice when Moses went up Mount Sinai, they are terrified when a cloud forms around them all and God’s voice is heard. Again we hear the words that God spoke from a cloud at Jesus’ baptism in the Gospel for the first Sunday of Epiphany: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” Jesus and the apostles come down the mountain, and life returns to what is “normal” for Jesus: He astounds the crowd by casting out a child’s particularly angry demon.