Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Last Epiphany B/Transfiguration

Transfiguration of Jesus (c.1437-1446), fresco by Fra Angelico (c.1395-1455). Museum of San Marco, Florence, Italy. (Click image to enlarge.)

First Reading: Kings 2:1-12

As the season after the Epiphany comes to its end on Sunday, we see the light of God revealed in shining glory. In the Gospel we will hear Mark’s account of the Transfiguration of Christ, the culmination of the series of epiphanies that have revealed Jesus as the Son of God. In those verses we will see a glowing Jesus meet the patriarchs Elijah and Moses on a mountaintop. Our first reading from the Second Book of Kings sets the stage with the ancient story of Elijah, who was taken up into heaven in a chariot of fire led by horses of fire.

Psalm: Psalm 50:1-6

We hear only the first six verses of Psalm 50, but even this snippet gives us a good sense of its resounding worship and praise. The Psalmist calls out to the people who have joined in covenant to come together in worship: Come near and hear the God of gods speak, revealed in glory, calling the the people of the earth together from sunrise to sunset. God will speak and not keep silence, we hear. God stands before a consuming flame, surrounded by a raging storm, calling the heavens and the earth to witness God’s judgment.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

God, who brought light into the world, shows us the glory of God’s image in Christ. In his second letter to the early Christian community in Corinth, Paul tells his flock that, because they believe, they see the light which those who do not believe can not see. For those who don’t believe, the light is veiled by worldy concerns, Paul writes. As Christians we are called to proclaim Jesus, not ourselves, Paul declares. We are to serve others humbly in service for Jesus’s sake.

Gospel: Mark 9:2-9

Just a few short weeks ago at the beginning of the Epiphany season we saw John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan. Now on the last Sunday of Epiphany we come to the Transfiguration, and Jesus is revealed as Messiah. With his friends Peter, James, and John looking on in awed amazement, Jesus’s clothes suddenly glow an unearthly dazzling white as he meets the patriarchs Elijah and Moses. Now God’s voice rings out again, as it had at his baptism: “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.”

Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Feb. 14, 2021

First Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Our Gospels in the season after the Epiphany follow Jesus through the early years of his public ministry as told by John and Mark, gradually unveiling his status as leader, teacher, and healer.

The Transfiguration of Christ (1605), oil painting on canvas by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). Museum of Fine Arts of Nancy, France. (Click image to enlarge.)

This week we conclude this rather brief journey from Christmastide to Lent with the revelation of Jesus as prophet and messiah. Sunday’s readings glow with the light of God revealed in shining glory: Elijah’s fiery chariot; the rising sun and consuming flame of God’s justice; God’s light to the world, and finally the Transfiguration of Jesus with the patriarchs Elijah and Moses on a mountain top. Our first reading tells the ancient story of Elijah taken up into heaven in a fiery chariot while Elisha, his young successor, looks on in awe.

Psalm: Psalm 50:1-6

This week we read only a portion of Psalm 50, about one-fourth of its 23 verses. But it is a memorable passage, a resounding hymn of worship and praise, calling the people who have joined in covenant to come together in worship. Come near, the Psalmist shouts, and hear the God of gods speak, revealed in glory, calling the earth together from sunrise to sunset. God will speak and not keep silence, we sing, standing before a consuming flame while surrounded by a raging storm, calling the heavens and the earth to witness God’s judgment.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

God brought light into the world, and God shows us the glory of God’s image in Christ. Because they believe, Paul tells the people of Corinth in his second letter to them, they can see the light that those who do not believe do not see. For those who do not believe, he continues, that light is veiled by worldly concerns. Christians are called to proclaim Jesus, not ourselves, Paul declares. We are to serve others humbly for Jesus’ sake.

Gospel: Mark 9:2-9

On the first Sunday of Epiphany, we watched John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan, where Jesus heard God’s voice saying, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Now Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to a mountain top, where Jesus is joined by Moses, the giver of the law, and Elijah, who was transported into heaven to await the arrival of the Messiah. Jesus’ face and garments glow in a scene reminiscent of Moses receiving God’s commandments as his face glowed on another mountain. Jesus is revealed as Messiah as his friends look on in awe, and God’s voice rings out again with the same refrain: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for Feb. 11, 2018

Transfiguration of Jesus (1800s), oil painting by Carl Bloch (1834-1890). (Click image to enlarge)

Elijah’s fiery chariot. The rising sun and consuming flame of God’s justice. God’s light to the world. The Transfiguration of Christ! This week’s readings glow with the light of God revealed in shining glory. Throughout Epiphany we have found the light of God shining in the darkness. In Sunday’s first reading, we hear the ancient story of Elijah taken up into heaven in a fiery chariot. We stand with Elisha, his young successor who hopes to receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, looking on in mourning and awe.

Psalm: Psalm 50:1-6

Our short Psalm passage, a resounding hymn of worship and praise, calls the people who have joined in Covenant to come together in worship. Come near, the Psalmist shouts, and hear the God of gods speak, revealed in glory, calling the earth together from sunrise to sunset. God will speak and not keep silence, standing before a consuming flame and surrounded by a raging storm, calling the heavens and the earth to witness God’s judgment.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

God brought light into the world, and God shows us the glory of God’s image in Christ. In his second letter to the people in Corinth, Paul tells them that because they believe, they see the light which those who do not believe do not see. For those who don’t believe, the light is veiled by worldy concerns. Christians are called to proclaim Jesus, not ourselves, Paul declares. We are to serve others humbly in service for Jesus’ sake.

Gospel: Mark 9:2-9

The season after Epiphany ends with the Transfiguration. Jesus, his clothes suddenly glowing an unearthly dazzling white, meets the patriarchs Elijah and Moses on a mountain top while his friends Peter, James, and John look on in awe. Remember when we saw John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan on the first Sunday of Epiphany, and Jesus heard God’s voice saying, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased”? Now Jesus is revealed as Messiah on the mountain top as God’s voice rings out again: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Feb. 15, 2015

Elijah’s fiery ascent. Russian Orthodox icon.

This is Transfiguration Sunday, concluding our short Epiphany journey from Christmastide to Lent. We have followed Mark’s account of Jesus, from the wise men’s homage to his baptism by John and his early ministry. Today Epiphany ends as a glowing Jesus meets the patriarchs Elijah and Moses on a mountain top. Our first reading tells the ancient story of Elijah taken up into heaven in a fiery chariot while Elisha, his young successor, looks on in awe.

Psalm: Psalm 50:1-6

From Elijah’s fiery chariot to the brilliant rising sun and consuming flame of God’s justice in today’s Psalm, our readings glow with the light of God revealed in shining glory. Throughout Epiphany we find the light of God shining in the darkness.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

God brought light into the world, and God shows us the glory of God’s image in Christ, Paul reminds the people in his second letter to the church in Corinth. Because we believe, we see the light that is denied to those who do not believe, says Paul. We are called to proclaim Jesus, not ourselves, while we serve others humbly in service for Jesus’ sake.

Gospel: Mark 9:2-9

On the first Sunday of Epiphany, we watched John baptizing Jesus in the Jordan, and Jesus heard God’s voice saying, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Now Jesus is transfigured atop a holy mountain with Moses, the giver of the law, and Elijah, who was transported into heaven to await the arrival of God’s Kingdom and the Messiah. Jesus’ face and garments glow in a scene that recalls Moses receiving God’s commandments atop another mountain. Jesus is revealed as Messiah as his friends Peter, James, and John look on in awe, and God’s voice rings out again: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”