Transformation of and through Jesus

Scripture: Exodus 24:12-18  •  Psalm 2 or Psalm 99  •  2 Peter 1:16-21  •  Matthew 17:1-9

This last Sunday of the Epiphany season we see the light shining brightest in Christ in his glory in the Transfiguration narrative of Matthew. With Moses and Elijah, Jesus is shown to fulfill (complete) the law and the prophets in all wholeness, reconciling us to God as God in man made manifest.

Just as the love and forgiveness of God through his Christ helps transform us today (See The Rev. Anne Howard's "A Word in Time,"), Christ, in all his glory, who took on all the pain, suffering and sin of man, is more than man (See Fred B. Craddock's "Christ is Not as We Are"), and is to be worshipped and gloried with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, true light from true light, the Blessed Trinity.

And yet He is with us, and will draw us up, in our journey (See Stephen Paul Bouman's "Marias Full of Grace").

As we come down off the mountain, will we come down with Jesus to complete the work in his kingdom? Will we be transformed to see as God sees? (See Laurel A. Dykstra's "See and Listen")

How do we become whole - make our lives complete?

Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18  •  Psalm 119:33-40  •  1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23  •  Matthew 5:38-48

We finish up Matthew's 5th Chapter which began with the "Sermon on the Mount," followed by Jesus' teachings expanding upon the commandments. This week Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, to go the extra mile. Why is he telling us this? The Rev. Mark Suriano's "Going Beyond" is a good synopsis and analysis of this great gospel account, culminating in the completeness and wholeness of God's love. Jesus tells us this is the way to life - life in abundance, eternal life - and when we can't go any further, in his loving sacrifice for us, with the transformational grace of God's love and forgiveness, Jesus redeems us, reconciles us, and carries us the rest of the way.

The Rev. Danáe Ashley, in "Stone Soup" develops this further from a community perspective: "God’s love is seen in the world when communities are concerned with compassion, justice, and care of everyone, especially the most vulnerable."

Fulfilling the Law

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 or Sirach 15:15-20  •  Psalm 119:1-8  •  1 Corinthians 3:1-9  •  Matthew 5:21-37

Our readings this week refer to commandments. Continuing in Matthew 5, following the Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes), Jesus has told us we are the salt of the earth, the  light of the world to shine, and to be perfect (complete), as our Father in heaven is perfect. Now he addresses commandments. He says, "You have heard it was said..." followed by a commandment, and then says, "but I say to you..." followed by seemingly extreme demands. For example: commandment: "You shall not murder..." followed by: "if you are angry with a brother or sister, you are liable to judgment." Or, "Do not commit adultery..." followed by "whoever looks at a woman with lust has committed adultery in his heart."

What is Jesus telling us? Some call his remarks "antitheses" to the commandments, but he has told us he has come not to destroy the law, but to fulfill the law. Contrary to the apparent negative account of the Pharisees in the gospels, Jesus recognizes their piety, but tells us our righteousness must be greater than those of the scribes and Pharisees.

What is happening here? See "Intensifying the Law" by The Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Pagano, and The Rev. Amy Oden's "Commentary on Matthew 5:21-37."

We are to be the salt of the earth, light of the world... and perfect??

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)  • Psalm 112:1-9 (10) 
 • 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16)  • Matthew 5:13-20

After Jesus gave us his sermon on the mount, teaching us different standards to live by than the prevailing ways of the world - so different and life changing that Dietrich Bonhoeffer based his Cost of Discipleship on the Beatitudes - he then charged us to be "the salt of the earth" and "light of the world." In verse 48 of the fifth chapter of Matthew, Jesus commands us to be "perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."  What does he mean? Is Jesus commanding us to do what we cannot possibly do? Is he to be taken literally? Is it hyperbole to make a point? Does he mean you and me, and now?

In "Salt and Light" The Rev. Anne Howard  has an interesting discussion about the qualities and meanings of salt, and light, particularly in terms of being engaged and useful with others. Fred B. Craddock explores what Jesus means in his charge to be "perfect" in "You, Therefore, Must Be Perfect." Finally, in "epiphany 5a reflection: lose the morons," The Rev. Rick Morley tells us not to be morons as he draws on the Greek word for "low-grade," used for losing one's saltiness, or becoming tasteless - μωραίνω - mōrainō. That's right, we're to do great things and not be morons.

Recognizing Blessings

Scripture: Micah 6:1-8  • Psalm 15  • 1 Corinthians 1:18-31  • Matthew 5:1-12

This week we have Matthew's account of the the Beatitudes. Matthew's account has Jesus teaching from the mountain side, primarily to his disciples. Although the crowds are present, they are in the background for the Sermon on the Mount. 

The Rev. Davis Lose focuses on recognizing blessing, in Recognizing Blessing, not being  blessed, or blessing others, which are important, but the focus in his lesson is to recognize blessing. Why is it important to recognize blessing? What do you look for when you think of blessing? Compare that with the beatitudes. What can we take from the Beatitudes and apply to our lives today?

Michael Simone, in his article, asks "What beatitudes does our world need to hear today?"

What  do you think? 

Heeding the Call to Discipleship

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-4  • Psalm 27:1, 4-9  • 1 Corinthians 1:10-18  • Matthew 4:12-23

The  gospel this week is Matthew's account of Jesus calling disciples to be fishers of men. What is involved in answering the call? Why did the disciples leave their net immediately and follow Jesus?  How do we "fish" for people? What is involved? Read Debie Thomas' "I Will Make You..."

First, you have to be open to hear the call. The farmer in Barrington  Bates' story, hearing a cricket chirp on his visit to the City in the midst of sirens blaring, said "I figure you hear what you're listening for." Are we listening for the call? What are we listening, or looking for? Bates says Jesus gives us clear directives on what we need to do. Read his "Repent, Look for Signs of the Kingdom, and Follow Jesus."

Do people see Jesus in us?

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7  •  Psalm 40:1-11  •  1 Corinthians 1:1-9  •  John 1:29-42

Jesus told Andrew and "Come and see," when Andrew inquired about him. John the Baptist said "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," when he sees Jesus. Andrew told his brother Simon, whom Jesus called Cephas - Peter, "We have found the Messiah."

Will we recognize Jesus as we come across him on our journey? What will we find? See Sister Kym Harris' "This Sunday's Reflection." The Rev. Mark Ralls says that the way to truth, the truth about Jesus, and ourselves, is through personal encounters in "The other 'H" Word."

Finally, considering the difficulties Paul encountered with the church in Corinth, Daniel Clendenin discusses some of the faults and failures of the church in "A Loyal Member of a Dysfunctional Family - Why I Go to Church." Why do you go to church? Why do some quit going to church? How should we deal with the church's failures and faults?

Do people see Jesus in us - in our church?