Exploring the Sunday Gospel - Sunday next before Lent
Today is the Sunday next before Lent and draws to a close the season of Epiphany. The season of Epiphany is concerned with the theme of revelation, how the presence and power of God is made known through the person of Jesus. On the first Sunday of Epiphany the voice from heaven spoke to Jesus alone (according to Mark and Luke) saying, ‘You are my Son’. Today the same voice speaks at Jesus’ transfiguration and proclaims to the world, ‘This is my Son’. This divine revelation takes place, appropriately, on a high mountain, where heaven and earth meet.
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of mountains. In today’s picture from their book, Light, Aled and Sian are learning about Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.
Lord Jesus Christ,
your disciples saw your glory
on the mount of the transfiguration.
Change our lives by the power of your glory,
that we may see you more clearly
and follow you more closely;
for you are our God.
Amen.
Next Sunday is the First Sunday of Lent. The Gospel reading takes us to Matthew’s account of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness when the devil tempted him to exploit his divine powers. Jesus rejects that way of working. The image to help prepare for next Sunday’s theme is magician’s hat. You can find out more about that theme by looking at the Educational Resources and the Preparation Resources.
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