Reflection on the Word in our Worship
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 as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.
-Luke 9:28-29
You may know that Peter, James and John did not taste death and were worthy to see the glory of the resurrection. It says “about eight days after these words, he took those three alone and led them onto the mountain.” Why is it that he says “eight days after these words”? He that hears the words of Christ and believes will see the glory of Christ at the time of the resurrection.
-St. Ambrose
The Collect for the Last Sunday of Epiphany
O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
Old Testament Reading: Exodus 34:29-35
Psalm 99 (below playlist)
New Testament Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:27–13:13
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:28-36
Psalm 99
1 The Lord is King; let the peoples tremble; *
he sits between the cherubim; let the earth shake.
2 The Lord is great in Zion *
and high above all peoples.
3 They shall give thanks unto his Name, which is great and wonderful; *
holy is he and mighty, a King who loves justice.
4 You have established equity; *
you have executed judgment and righteousness in Jacob.
5 O magnify the Lord our God, *
and fall down before his footstool, for he is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among
those who call upon his Name, *
they called upon the Lord, and he heard them.
7 He spoke to them out of the cloudy pillar, *
for they kept his testimonies and the law that he gave them.
8 You heard them, O Lord our God; *
you forgave them, O God, yet punished their evildoings.
9 O magnify the Lord our God, and worship him upon his holy hill, *
for the Lord our God is holy.