Scriptures for August 5 (transferred)

Scriptures and Reflection Questions
Transfiguration Sunday, Year B
August 5, 2012
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Collect

O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son,
 wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that
we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the
King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary
Year B
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How to use this page:

Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it.  Some questions
are offered to help stimulate your reflection.  You'll find your experience of worship
on Sunday will be intensified.

For a method to read and pray with the scriptures you might try to use the ancient
practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading).  We've written some instructions on
how to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link:
www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.
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A liturgical note:  Several years ago we found that we needed another baptismal feast in late summer.  Quite a few baptism requests seem to pile up in the long period between Pentecost and All Saints.  We received permission from the Bishop  to add "Transfiguration Sunday" -- transferring the lections for the Feast of the Transfiguration (Aug. 6) to the first Sunday of August.  It also allows us an opportunity to offer outdoor baptisms by full immersion.  We will not be using Proper 13 for  this upcoming Sunday.

Exodus 34:29-35
2 Peter 1:13-21
Luke 9:28-36
Psalm 99 or 99:5-9
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Exodus 34:29-35

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.

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When have you seen someone transfigured by joy or concentration or love?
What did they look like?
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Psalm 99:5-9

We proclaim your greatness, O God,
     and fall down before your footstool; *
     you are the Holy One.

Moses and Aaron among your priests,
and Samuel among those who call upon your Name, *
     they called upon you, and you answered them.

You spoke to them out of the pillar of cloud; *
     they kept your testimonies and the decree that you gave them.

"O Holy God, you answered them indeed; *
     you were a God who forgave them,
     yet punished them for their evil deeds."

Proclaim the greatness of our God
and worship on God's holy hill, *
     for our God is the Holy One.
                                                                             The Saint Helena Psalter
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How do you find worship to be a time of encounter with God?

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2 Peter 1:13-21

I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, since I
know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear
to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at
any time to recall these things.

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power
 and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed
 to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I
am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were
with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive
to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning
star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy
of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came
by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

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How might you say you have been an eyewitness to God?

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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.

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When have you seen something that tingled with presence and glory?
Where do you go to connect with a deeper way of seeing into reality?
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Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
  We aspire to...
     worship weekly
     pray daily
     learn constantly
     serve joyfully
     live generously.

Check our website: www.stpaulsfay.org