Reading
Now about eight days after these sayings 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. (Luke 9: 28-36) Reflection Did you ever think that this story of the Transfiguration of Jesus is actually a Biblical example of a camping experience? Think about it. Several campers and friends, Peter, James, and John, hiked with their camp counselor leader, Jesus, up a mountain. They needed to get away. They needed to go to a place set apart to be transformed and rejuvenated in their work as disciples. When they got to the mountain camp, they prayed, and while they were there they saw God. Two other men talked, Moses and Elijah, who were faith figures of times past. Faith came alive to these campers, just like it does to campers today through skits, stories, songs and study. Peter wanted to truly set up camp that day by putting up tents and having an overnight camping experience. He and the campers were sleepy. Sound familiar? But then, their priorities were changed as God bellowed from the heavens and they heard His voice saying, “This is My beloved Son. Fear Him!” In the last 50 years, many campers have come to Camp Mount Luther and had a mountaintop experience. They've experienced God. Where do they find God in everyday life? You may be surprised that just as the disciples saw and heard God on the Mount of Transfiguration, you will see God in places you’d never expect! And hopefully, unlike the early disciples, you will share with others that experience! --Chad Hershberger Prayer On our mountaintops and in the valleys, help us to see you shining brightly, dear Jesus. Amen. Our devotions are based on this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). The RCL is a three-year cycle of readings telling the story of our Christian faith and corresponding to the season church calendar. On any given Sunday, we are hearing and praying and examining the same Scripture with millions of Christians around the world. In our current Year C, the Old Testament readings progress through the Prophets and have the theme of the day that it is connected to the Gospel reading. The Psalm, a song the congregation sings in response to the Old Testament reading, most often corresponds to the theme of the Hebrew Lessons and/or that of the Gospel Lesson. The lesson from the Epistles or from Acts typifies the church’s focus on the meaning of Christ for today. The Gospel lesson is connected to the season of the Church Year. This year, our gospel readings are from Luke, who writes that Jesus is the universal Savior and the perfect Son of Man. In the current season of Epiphany, Christ is revealed, the disciples are called, and we see the early ministry of Jesus.
1 Comment
Andy
2/24/2022 10:04:50 pm
Mt. Luther is where my mind goes when hearing mountain top experience. You captured it perfectly Chad! And yes, we want to stay there.
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