Consider the Word, February 11, 2021

Consider the Word, February 11, 2021
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Readings for February 14

• 2 Kings 2:1-12
• Psalm 50:1-6
• 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
• Mark 9:2-9

 
Collect

Almighty God,

on the holy mount you revealed to chosen witnesses

your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured:

mercifully deliver us from the darkness of this world,

and change us into his likeness from glory to glory;

through Jesus Christ our Lord

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 
Reading: Mark 9:2-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

 
Reflection Questions

1. In this Gospel lesson, Jesus is not transformed (changed inwardly) but transfigured (changed outwardly) and thus shown to be different. What does this transfiguration tell us about Jesus?
2. What is the significance of having Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus?
3. How might the transfiguration of Jesus transform us?
4. Think about a time in your life when you’ve had a mountain top experience and what it was like to switch to whatever came afterwards.

 
Closing Prayer

God of glory, by the grace of your Spirit, reveal your Son to us now in the message of the prophets and in the witness of the apostles, so that we may heed his voice and receive him in faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Opening Prayers (1997) alt.

 
The Message: Mark 9:2-9

^2-4 Six days later, three of them did see it. Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make them. Elijah, along with Moses, came into view, in deep conversation with Jesus.

^5-6 Peter interrupted, “Rabbi, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah.” He blurted this out without thinking, stunned as they all were by what they were seeing.

⁷ Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him.”

⁸ The next minute the disciples were looking around, rubbing their eyes, seeing nothing but Jesus, only Jesus.

^9-10 Coming down the mountain, Jesus swore them to secrecy. “Don’t tell a soul what you saw. After the Son of Man rises from the dead, you’re free to talk.” They puzzled over that, wondering what on earth “rising from the dead” meant.

The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson