Faith Thoughts for Sunday August 6, 2006
Based on the sermon, by The Rev. Dr. Anne Miner-Pearson
Exodus 34:29-35 & Luke 9:28-36
To hear audio of the sermon, click here
Sunday was the Feast of the Transfiguration and the sermon began with the question "who is Jesus?". The story of his transfiguration on the mountain tells us he is the Son of God, the Chosen, but still leaves us searching for his exact identity. The answers were numerous in his lifetime and it is still true today. In noting some of them, I used examples from a book by Stephen Prothero, chair of the Department of Religion at Boston University, entitled American Jesus: How the Son of God Became a National Icon. Yet, in the end, the Feast of the Transfiguration is not only a celebration of Jesus as our Savior, it is also a cautious reminder that no one Christian group "owns" Jesus.
- How has Jesus' identity changed for you over your lifetime? What is the earliest image of Jesus you can recall? Who gave that image to you? Is it still important to you? When did you learn other images of Jesus?
- Which identities of Jesus are most central for you? Which are most troubling or less important? Healer? Teacher? Prophet? Savior? Radical reformer? Personal friend? Other?
- In the sermon, I noted a news story about an evangelical mega church in Maplewood, Mn. whose pastor has offended a large portion of his congregation by refusing to preach Jesus as fitting into a particular political slot. What is your reaction to that story? How might you place Jesus in your own "political slot"? How might that be a problem and/or benefit in your spiritual life?
- The children's story was a retelling of The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush by Tomie dePaola. The legend is about a young native American lad who did not have the gifts to be a warrior, but discovered his gift as an artist while on a "Dream-Vision". During the "Dream-Vision", he saw and heard ancestors telling him of his identity. While we believe that Jesus' transfiguration is more than what this legend describes, the legend does remind us of the holy uniqueness of each of us. How have you discovered your gifts? Who helped you to claim and use them? Do you think about the use of your gifts as a connection between you and God and as a living out of God's vision for you?
Exodus 34:29-3
Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Luke 9:28-36
About eight days after Jesus had foretold his death and resurrection, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”--not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
Holy God,
you have revealed the glory of your love in Jesus Christ,
and have given us a share in your Spirit.
May we who listen to Christ
follow faithfully, and,
in the dark places where you send us,
reveal the light of your gospel. Amen.
Revised Common Lectionary Prayers (CCT), Fortress Press
The Rev. Dr. Anne Miner-Pearson
Episcopal Church of the Nativity
15601 Maple Island Road
Burnsville, MN 55306 952-435-8687
annem-p@nativityepiscopal.net
www.natvitiyepiscopal.net
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