See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live…(Deuteronomy 30:15-16a NRSV)
“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. (Matthew 5:13 NRSV)
Image credit: “Salt Shaker” by financialaidpodcast on flickr.com
1Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
ELCA Book of Faith Devotional Questions:
1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text? What do I have questions about?
I have always thought that this was a very strange text. Sometimes, I think, we accept texts like this because we have heard them so many times over the course of our lives. But, seriously, think about it. A hike up a high mountain, Jesus is transfigured, his face like the sun, and his clothes dazzling white, and then two people who have been dead for centuries show up. Not only all of that, but the voice of God! If I were one of the disciples, I think I would wonder if I was dreaming at the least, and worry about my sanity at the worst. Maybe that’s why Jesus brought three of them. Each could corroborate the other’s story, when the time came to tell it to others.
I am also challenged by this text because although I have heard many peoples’ stories of their physical encounters with God, it always seems to me that mountaintop experiences don’t last. They give us lots of energy and drive in the moment, but that excitement, that certainty fades away with time until we wonder if it ever really happened at all. Why does God gives us these experiences, if they fade in this way?
2. What delights me in this text? What is my favorite part, and why?
One thing that I never noticed before was that Jesus brings the same disciples that he first calls from being fishermen to being fishers of people (with the exception of Andrew…maybe he was sick that day). Those who are with him at the beginning are still with him at the end.
Another thing which delights me is that the words God says in Jesus’ Baptism still hold true just as he is about to enter Jerusalem and endure the cross. He has been at the business of ministry for three years, and God still claims him, still loves him, is still well pleased with him. For the benefit of the disciples, God adds, “Listen to him.” We know that what Jesus is going to have to say is going to be hard to hear, so I wonder if this command is also encouragement. “Hear him,” God says, “and take heart.”
3. What stories or memories does this text stir up in me? How does this story connect to my life?
This episode in Jesus’ life reminds me from a scene in the movie The Neverending Story. https://youtu.be/73dqr81DDyc The main character in the fantasy world, Atreyu, has to face his true self in a magic mirror before he can go through the gate. Who he meets is the little boy reading the Neverending Story book in the attic of his school. It makes me wonder who I would see if I had to face the same mirror. It also makes me thankful for the promises given to us in baptism, where God names us, claims us, forgives us, and saves us. Maybe, like Jesus, when we are transfigured, we will reflect the face of God!
4. What is God up to in this text? What is God calling me to do or to be because of this message?
In this text, God is revealing Jesus’ true identity to his closest followers. God speaks, and names Jesus as Son and Beloved. God commands the disciples, and us, to listen to Jesus. And Jesus himself tells the disciples to “Get up, and do not be afraid.” Perhaps this story can help us, too, to get up and cast away our fear, to witness the love of Jesus and to tell others what we have heard and seen. As we conclude the season of Epiphany light, may your light shine with the love of Jesus for the sake of the world. I am looking forward to seeing where God leads us in our Dwelling in the Word together this month!
12Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15“Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” 17From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
ELCA Book of Faith Devotional Questions:
1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text? What do I have questions about?
2. What delights me in this text? What is my favorite part, and why?
3. What stories or memories does this text stir up in me? How does this story connect to my life?
4. What is God up to in this text? What is God calling me to do or to be because of this message?
What follows is our worship setting for St. Paul, Hardy for the season after Epiphany. In our congregation, we are singing these songs acapella, and the psalm litany replaces the Kyrie and Hymn of Praise. God bless your worship in song!
SONG OF WELCOME
LITANY
Psalm 63:1-8
O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
5 My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips 6 when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
For the Gospel Acclamation, we sing only the refrain of this hymn:
OFFERING SONG
SENDING ACCLAMATION
SENDING FOR MISSION
Go in Peace, Your LIGHT has Come! Thanks be to God!
13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
The Massacre of the Infants: Matthew 2:16-18
16 When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
Daily Questions& Prayers
Sunday: Matthew 2:13a
Joseph is dreaming again! Have you been paying attention to your dreams this season? What do they have to tell you?
Dear God, help me to listen to you, no matter how you choose to speak to me. Amen.
Monday: Matthew 2:13b
Have you ever had to get up and go without advance notice? What was that experience like?
Dear Jesus, my time is not always your time. Help me to follow your lead, even when it interrupts my plans. Amen.
Tuesday: Matthew 2:13c
What do you think it would have been like to unexpectedly have to move with a two-year-old for Mary and Joseph? What would it be like for you?
Dear God, sometimes unexpected things happen to me. When I am in the middle of something unexpected, help me to you that you are present with me. Amen.
Wednesday: Matthew 2:14
Have you ever traveled to a foreign country? What was that experience like for you? If you could travel somewhere, where would you go?
Dear God, today I pray for those who are traveling because of the threat of war or violence. Keep them safe on their journey, and help them to know that they are always at home in you. Amen.
Thursday: Matthew 2:15
What would it have been like for Mary and Joseph to learn a new language, customs, and even cuisine? What would it be like for you to do so?
Dear God, today I pray for those who live far from home. Sustain them as they learn new things, and comfort them when they miss what is familiar. Amen.
Friday: Matthew 2:16
King Herod’s actions against the children in Bethlehem are similar to Pharaoh’s in Moses’ time. Why do you think he chose to do this? Where are there places in this world where something similar is happening, even today?
Dear Jesus, today I pray for all children in the world, in our country, and in my community whose lives are threatened by violence. Help me to see this danger and act to bring peace. Amen.
Saturday: Matthew 2:17-18
Have you ever been so sad that you didn’t know if you would ever stop crying? What was that experience like? What do you think it would have been like to lose a child to violence? How can you make a difference in the lives of those who are mourning loss?
(Pray in your own words for people you know who are sad, mourning, or in pain today.)
Dwelling in the Word Together 