Collect for Trinity 9
2 Peter 1: 13-22
Luke 9: 28-36
Peter has had quite a week. After seeing a few loaves and a couple of fish feed a meal to thousands, he and the other disciples are directly challenged by Jesus – ‘And you – who do you say I am?’. As you would expect, Peter is the one who confesses Jesus as Messiah, and is told he is going to be the rock on which the church is built and given the keys of the Kingdom.
He hadn’t even time to take it in, before he is being rebuked after trying to deny the prophecy that Jesus would be put to death – ‘out of my sight, Satan; you are a stumbling block to me!’
As they say in the movies, six day s later…
Six days later, up a high mountain, with Peter probably still smarting at his telling off, Peter, James and John are given a sight that must have been even harder to understand.
While Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. Again Peter blurts out something about building three sheds, but is interrupted by a voice from a bright cloud: ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’
The ’Transfiguration’ passage marks one of the five significant moments of Jesus’ life on earth; and yet we do tend to concentrate more on the others – His Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension, and that’s a pity. In His story,
Transfiguration marks the point at which His life in the Kingdom of Heaven and the Earth are seen as a whole rather than two separate realms.
It took Peter some time, (and after a few more hiccups) but he gets the point in the end. Now, when challenged, he simply reminds people what he saw with his own eyes. It isn’t just Jesus who is transformed. Peter, too, is a changed man; from fisherman to unshakeable rock. The prophecy is fulfilled, the light has come, the day will dawn and the morning star will rise in our hearts. Hallelujah.
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
Go in peace, to love and praise the Lord and all His creation, giving thanks for the blessings of tomorrow – and the day after, then the day after that, and all your days. In the name of Christ. Amen
Previous Posts
Praying Together 6th April 2025
Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, ‘Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.
Praying Together 30th March 2025
As Julian of Norwich wrote, ‘the example of a mother’s service is closest, most willing, and most sure because it is most true’, and thus we use that example as part of our Lenten journey.
Praying Together 23rd March 2025
God gives us the freedom to make that choice, and will always offer us another chance when we fail, as He did to the barren fig tree.
Praying Together 16 March 2025
Unlike the other tragic heroes, Jesus has no flaw or blemish other than those inflicted by others: the scars on His back, the thorn-blood on His forehead, the betrayal by His friend.
Praying Together March 9th 2025
God’s demand for perfection need not discourage you in the least in your present attempts to be good, or even in your present failures.
Praying Together 2nd March 2025
God of the nations, whose sovereign rule brings justice and peace, have mercy on our broken and divided world.
Praying Together 23 February 2025
Meditation for the Second Sunday before Lent CollectAlmighty God,you have created the heavens and the earthand made us in your own image:Teach us to discern your hand in all your worksand your likeness in all your children;through Jesus Christ our Lord,who with you...
Praying Together 16th February 2025
And if you accept Him as Lord, allow Him to lead you as you walk into the future without looking back, and do what He has equipped you to do as His body on earth
Praying Together 9th February 2025
We are all asked to have the faith to put out into deep water, but we must remember that we will never be on our own. Peter’s ministry was made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit, as will ours.
Praying Together 2nd February 2025
We are all called to be the Body of Christ in His entirety – and we are to take the example of all ‘Saints’ who have gone before, both male and female, as models of our required behaviour.
Praying Together 26th January 2025
Most importantly, in the face of what appears to be a society built upon prejudice and hatred, we are sustained and strengthened by the knowledge that in the end, love will triumph, leaving the wordly values of the tyrant to be forgotten.
Praying Together 19th January 2025
Jesus has demonstrated His authority and power. He takes something ordinary, and it becomes extraordinary. He turns water to wine. He heals the past and offers a new future. He changes his followers from sinner to saint.