Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for March 3, 2019

First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35

Through the season of Epiphany, nine weeks long this year, we have followed along in the Gospels as Jesus became revealed to his followers as the Messiah.

From the visit of the three wise men through his baptism, his first miracle, and the beginning of his public ministry, we conclude on Sunday with his dramatic revelation on the mountain top, clothed in light, joined by prophets and the voice of God ringing from the clouds. Indeed, radiant light appears throughout Sunday’s readings, as does the prophet Moses who received God’s commandments on Mount Sinai. In the first reading we remember Moses coming down from the mountain, his own face transfigured in light by his encounter with the Holy One.

Psalm: Psalm 99

This ancient hymn portrays God as a powerful king receiving loud chants of praise. In the temple in Jerusalem, two cherubim – fierce angels appearing as lions with wings and human faces – were placed atop the Ark of the Covenant to serve as God’s throne. Our God is no petty tyrant but a mighty ruler who expects justice and provides equity for the righteous. God 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

In this second recorded letter to the people of Corinth, Paul recalls the Exodus reading about Moses coming down the mountain with his shining face covered by a veil to protect the people from its unearthly glow. Now Paul takes that image and turns it around to express the idea that Jesus unveils God’s new covenant through Christ in all its shining glory. God’s transforming light can inspire the people to take the message of the Gospels out to all the world.

Gospel: Luke 9:28-36, 37-43a

As we come to the Transfiguration Gospel through the prior readings, suddenly we see it anew. Peter, John and James, mouths dropping in awe, see Jesus with Moses and Elijah, but now Jesus, not Moses, is the shining one, his face and clothing aglow as he is transfigured in God’s light and voice. God’s voice declares Jesus his son and chosen One. “Listen to him,” booms the divine voice, repeating the words that God spoke from a cloud in Jesus’ baptism: “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.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Feb. 7, 2016

First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35

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.

Psalm 99

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.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013.

First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35
Radiant light shines through today’s readings, and Moses appears in all of them. But look deeper, and we find a consistent emphasis on God’s covenant, which since Moses’ time has called the people to love God and follow God’s commandments. But here’s a twist: This was their second chance! The first time Moses brought the commandments down the mountain, his face shining with the reflected glory of God, he found them worshipping a golden calf, and he smashed the tablets in anger. Then the people repented, God forgave them and gave them another chance. God gives us another chance every time we sin and turn back, again and again and again.

Psalm 99
This mighty ancient hymn envisions God as a powerful king receiving loud chants of praise. In the temple in Jerusalem, two cherubim – scary angels depicted as lions with wings and human faces – were placed atop the Ark of the Covenant to serve as God’s throne. The Psalmist understands God as no petty tyrant but a mighty ruler who demands justice. Throughout the bible, the Israelites got in trouble every time they forgot their covenant call to love their neighbors and care for the widow, the orphan and the stranger.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12 – 4:2
In this letter to his congregation at Corinth, Paul recalls the reading about Moses with his shining face, but he takes the image of the veil that Moses used to conceal his Godly glow, and turns it around to express the idea that Jesus “unveils” God’s covenant in all its shining glory. God’s light can transform us. It inspires us to take the message of the Gospels to the world.

Gospel: Luke 9:28-36, 37-43a
As we come to the Gospel through the prior readings, suddenly we see it anew. Peter, John and James, mouths dropping in awe, see Jesus with Moses and Elijah, but now Jesus, not Moses, is the shining one, his face and clothing aglow as he is transfigured in God’s light and voice. God’s voice declares Jesus his son and chosen One. “Listen to him,” booms the divine voice, a command that rings down the ages to all generations. How do we listen for Jesus’ voice? What do we hear?