Transfiguration Sunday provides an opportunity to remember those times when we encounter Holy Mystery in astounding ways.  Some who gather on this day will have had mountaintop experiences that transformed their lives.  But for many others, God’s presence is subtle and comes to them in smaller -perhaps even daily -ways.  How can you help others recognize and name the presence of the Holy in their lives?

Remembering Jesus’ transfiguration and our calling to be reflections of Christ is the climax of the Season after the Epiphany.  We pause on this day to celebrate and hold within us the presence of Holy Mystery that will empower us for the journey into Lent.

Personal Reflection:

“Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw [Jesus’] glory and the two men who stood with him” (Luke 9:32)

How often we can miss something wonderful going on because we fall asleep, or we get caught up in the midst of something else.  Peter, James, and John almost miss out on seeing Jesus in the presence of Moses and Elijah.  Yet they do not miss this and, as a result, are invited to ponder Jesus in the light of some great forerunners of the faith and consider what the ministry of Jesus might be about.  When have you almost missed out on something wonderful?

Reading for Transfiguration Sunday
Exodus 34:29-35                                            Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2                                    Luke 9:28-36, (37-43)

 Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
The peoples of Belgium, Luxembourg & The Netherlands

Prayer for the week
Holy God, grant us faith to feel you near.  Grant us the courage to tell of your revealing love.  Amen.

It is not our perfection that makes us more like Christ, but our compassion born form our mutual vulnerability.  As Christians, we wrestle with what made the way of Jesus distinct in a world of rival claims.

When we admit the truth of our vulnerability and need for others, we can be more holy in the sense of being connected and a part of the whole.  Consider how your community is deepened and brightened by the presence of vulnerable people: children, adults in the last quarter of life, or your partners in mission and outreach.  Take time in worship and education to be intentionally led by voices you don’t often hear.  In service, consider ways to say thank you for the opportunity to be in a relationship with your mission partners.  Be specific in the characteristics they have that bring joy and understanding to your world.

Personal Reflection:

“But I say to you that listen, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”  (Luke 6:27)

Jesus makes a controversial claim about treating those who believe and act differently; Love your Enemies.  Sustain all regardless of your judgment of them as good or bad.  Be merciful, for Your Father is merciful.  Here, Jesus turns our focus from an obsession with perfection to a posture of compassion.

Reading for Seventh after Epiphany
Genesis 45:3-11, 15                                        Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40
1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50                       Luke 6:27.38

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
The peoples of France, Germany & Monaco

Prayer for the week
Come close to us, O God.  Reconcile us to our brothers and sisters.  Come closer to us, O God, so we may be more merciful and holy in your image.  Amen.

Everyone knows what it is like to want to share good news.  The excitement we feel on the inside is contagious and the news bursts from our lips at every opportunity.  The Season after the Epiphany calls us to spread the good news brought to us by Jesus with the same energy and excitement.

For some, this call may be difficult to embrace.  The invitation to “fish for people” is layered with a negative history of forced conversions, intrusive evangelism techniques, and uncomfortable conversations with friends.  The prayers, music, and ritual suggested for this week enflesh this fresh understanding of our call to share the good news.

Simon, Peter, James and John were going about doing their daily work, but then Jesus encourages them to go deep and their lives are never the same.  How can you create space in the midst of the activity of daily life for people to hear anew our call to be a community of Christ?

Personal Reflection:

“[Jesus] said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch’” (Luke 5:4).

Jesus wants to show Simon, Peter, James and John what he is doing in a way they can understand.  So, Jesus instructs his fishing friends to put their nets out into deep waters and draw fish into their boat.  They are amazed at the catch.  Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.  From now on, you will be catching people.”  God’s net of love goes deep, and we are invited to join in a ministry of inclusive love.

Reading for Fifth after Epiphany
Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13)                                         Psalm 138
1 Corinthians 15:1-11                                    Luke 5:1-11

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
The peoples of Andorra, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino & Spain

Prayer for the week
Creator God, you have drawn us from deep within ourselves into your loving net of grace.  Strengthen us to cast such a net of justice and mercy into the depths of this community and world, that all might feel enfolded by your realm.  Amen.

The first weeks of the Season after the Epiphany focus on Jesus being revealed, baptized and beginning his ministry. We see who Jesus is, how his mission will take shape, where he will go to speak words of love and justice. The Spirit is at work and dwells among Jesus and his followers today.  We’re  called  to  show  courage,  to  speak  out,  as  Jesus did to the people in his hometown. The words of a prophet may be uncomfortable to hear, but with God’s help, we can speak – and – hear these difficult truths. What injustices and human crises do we need to face in order to truly live out the call to love and care for all? What God wants for us does not always coincide with our wants.  These “hard” ways  of  God  sometimes challenge the way of life we are used to. They may challenge the way our church has done ministry and mission in the past. How might our worship, learning, and serving this week focus on ways the Spirit is calling us in a new direction? What might encourage self reflection, reflection as a congregation?

Personal Reflection:

It feels good when people speak favorably of us and appreciate things we have said or done.  The crowd seems – at first – to be genuinely pleased with what Jesus has spoken to them.  However,  it  seems  that  when  Jesus  suggests  that  people  act  rather  than  merely listen, they turn against him. It’s one thing to hear nice words; it can be quite another to be expected to live by them.

• What is a time when you have liked the idea of something if someone else were going to do it, but been less pleased with the idea for yourself?
• This week, what’s one way you might speak out for the marginalized?

Reading for Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Jeremiah 1:4-10                                              Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13                                    Luke 4:21-30

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
The peoples of Algeria, Libya, Morocco & Tunisia

Prayer for the week
Gracious Creator, you have known us before we ever knew you, and have called us your children.  Cultivate in us the courage to speak out and live your word of faith, hope, and love.  Amen.

Luke tells us that Jesus was “filled with the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14) at the beginning of the focus passage. He goes on to read from the scrolls and speak truth to his hometown, calling them to new ways of living. Release, recovery, setting free are the themes of this good news. Empowered by the Spirit, we’re called to live with the same boldness.
From the sign of the Spirit resting on Jesus at Baptism through this early story of his mission and ministry, we see how the Spirit is working through Jesus and can work in our communities. In our imaginings, hopes, and prayers, may we become the fulfillment of all that is possible. What are ways to remind us that the Spirit of God is upon us? How can you help people dream God’s dream and be inspired to act? What service opportunities could help heal divisions or show people a different way of viewing the world?

Personal Reflection:
“[Jesus] began to say to them, ‘today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing’” (Luke 4:21).
How often do we really understand scripture as being “fulfilled”? Does it mean “has come to life” or “is completed”? Jesus seems to want the people of his hometown to know that the words spoken by Isaiah long ago about God’s Spirit being upon us are coming true now. It might mean that Jesus understands God’s Spirit is upon him, or it might mean that we are all to recognize the Spirit of god in each of us.
• How might our living be changed if we truly felt God’s Spirit anointing us to bring good news, freedom, and new life?
• This week, share a story of God’s good news happening in your community with someone you know.

Reading for Third after Epiphany
Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10                           Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31                                Luke 4:14-21

Ecumenical Prayer Calendar
The peoples of Cyprus, Greece & Turkey

Prayer for the week
We long for news that is good, O God –good for this earth, good for our hearts, good for communities.  Teach us to listen for your good news about those ways you have set before us, exemplified for us, and called forth from us, in Jesus the Christ.  Amen.