Words Twice a Week 2.24
The Prayer for Peace in the World -
God of all Creation,
let the peace which is in your heart
flow into your world,
and may all who share your world
live together in justice, kindness and humility.
We ask it in the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace. Amen.
And then here’s really good prayer that The Church of the Heavenly Rest sent out -
As the fever of day calms towards twilight
May all that is strained in us come to ease.
We pray for all who suffered violence today,
May an unexpected serenity surprise them.
For those who risk their lives each day for peace,
May their hearts glimpse providence at the heart of history.
That those who make riches from violence and war
Might hear in their dreams the cries of the lost.
That we might see through our fear of each other
A new vision to heal our fatal attraction to aggression.
That those who enjoy the privilege of peace
Might not forget their tormented brothers and sisters.
That the wolf might lie down with the lamb,
That our swords be beaten into ploughshares
And no hurt or harm be done
Anywhere along the holy mountain.
Some thoughts on some of the lessons for next Sunday – Sunday of the Transfiguration
Exodus 34:29-35
+ Moses goes up the mountain to talk with God and when he comes down his face shines so brightly he needs to put a veil over it. When do we use a veil? Why?
+ It suggests the holiness of God – where do we experience that?
Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a)
+ Context – Jesus just gave the first passion prediction complete with Peter’s confession, a word about discipleship (ending with line about how “some will not die before seeing the kingdom of God/Time of God’s Peace)”, then eight days later (a new creation?) takes Peter, James, and John aside (up the mountain) where he is “Transfigured”. Is this Luke suggesting that the new creation/kingdom of God/Time of God’s Peace is with us in Jesus?
+ in the Transfiguration, we come face to face with the reality that Jesus is both human and divine. This is a reality that we cannot really process. One writer suggests we express it in hymns, poems.
+ The disciples are heavy with sleep but stay awake – does this suggest a “thin place/thin time” inbetween states of being when they glimpse a reality beyond our own? Or is it meant to mirror our confusion with this human/divine thing?
+ they stay awake here, as opposed to Gethsemane where they slept. Did the excitement of the moment keep them awake? What might they have seen in Gethsemane?
+ Apparently in the Orthodox tradition this is when they understand Jesus becoming God. How do you think about this human and divine thing?
+ Moses and Elijah appear. The Law and the Prophet? And it’s like if you could invite three people to dinner - what do you suppose they talked about? Here’s something to think about - traditionally we say Moses and Elijah were maybe telling Jesus what the Crucifixion/Resurrection would be like – but why would Jesus need anyone to tell him anything? What might he be saying to them?
+ Peter says “It’s good to be here; let’s build booths” and Luke immediately suggests that there is something inadequate about that. It’s probably more of a worship image than a “let’s put down roots.” I’m glad about that. We do enough worrying about our buildings. Possibly what’s inadequate is that Peter seems to be equating Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, when certainly Jesus would be superior.
+ The cloud comes and the voice from the cloud – “This is my Son, Listen to him.” What has Jesus just said? Passion prediction, pick up your cross, and (immediately before!) “some will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God”. What is he going to say next? “How much longer must I bear with you...Let these words sink into your heads – the son of man is going to be handed over to humans.” And another passion prediction.
+ They told no one what they had seen, even though Jesus does not tell them to keep quiet as he does in Matthew and Mark. Why?
+ On the next day (vs37) - The disciples are still not able to heal the boy. The Kingdom of God/Time of God’s Peace is still among us, but hidden? Does this justify Jesus’ “faithless and perverse generation”? Seems harsh to me. It does suggest that healing (spiritual? Physical?) is part of the Time of God’s Peace.
+ we think of the Transfiguration pointing back to Jesus’ baptism and ahead to the Crucifixion/Resurrection – where do you see connections?
That’s what I got for now…..
Comments are moderated – by me – and may take a day to appear
No comments:
Post a Comment