LITURGY IN FOCUS

CALL TO WORSHIP & CENTERING PRAYERS

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Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

Call to worship

We celebrate today the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Jesus showed himself glorified so that his followers might understand the glory that will be ours.

  • To the point: What high mountain must we climb for us to witness Jesus’ transfiguration? We must climb the high mountain of listening to Jesus, the high mountain of being pleasing to him, the high mountain of opening ourselves to the touch of his Presence. When we climb this mountain, we forsake our own agenda of pitching the tent of satisfaction with our own works to enter into the glory of the Life Jesus offers us. The mountain is steep; the climb is ours to choose; the vision at the top is divine — “white as light,” shining “like the sun.” Can we see him?
  • Connecting the Gospel (Matthew 17:1-19) to the first reading: God commanded Abram to leave the homeland he knew and to seek an unknown homeland that God would show him. “Abram went as the Lord directed him,” and for this he was greatly blessed. Jesus’ transfiguration bids us to let go of where we are (the “homeland” we know) to climb a high mountain (an unknown “homeland”) that leads to new, risen, transfigured, Easter life.
  • Connecting the Gospel to experience: No matter how insightful or imaginative, all human vision is limited by the boundaries of human experience. The vision of Jesus’ transfiguration explodes the boundaries of human experience yet is very real and attainable. Jesus shows us the glory that is ours to come, attainable because it is God’s gift to those who are faithful.

Centering prayers

The Gospel

(Matthew 17: 1-9)

His face shone like the sun.

O Christ, give us a glimpse. Let us find you shining
in sliver echoes from the moon,
in geese streaking for home,
in the evening sky, in the spider’s intricate web.
In workers, coffee growers, climate crisis workers,
crossing guards, and homeless folks.
Let no one and no place ever be hidden from
the glow of your Godly, earthly presence.
Let us find your glory in all things.

Music for reflection