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Lectionary
8TH WEEK BEFORE EASTER: 27 JANUARY – 2 FEBRUARY 2008
THEME: ‘LORD, IT IS GOOD TO BE HERE!’
READING:
LUKE 9: 28 -36
The mountain top experience of Jesus and
his disciples was a pleasant one. They had gone to the top of
Mount Harmon on a retreat for Jesus to have an intimate and
undisturbed communion with God. The public ministry of Jesus
was a series of humiliations. The Jews always sought to
degrade and humiliate him. The transfiguration presents a
different scene. Jesus was transfigured in the presence of his
disciples. They became witnesses of his glorification. That
experience prepared them for being witnesses to Jesus’ bitter
agony and ultimate glory.
The appearance of Moses and
Elijah (two highly respected figures of Israel’s history –
Moses the great Law-giver and Elijah the great Prophet both of
whom had had mountain-top experiences before) clearly depicts
Jesus fulfilling the law and the Prophets and witnesses to his
heavenly origin and destiny. It also confirmed God’s will for
Jesus that enabled him to set his face resolutely towards
Jerusalem –– towards his suffering – towards the cross. The
three disciples were moved yet baffled by the experience.
While they were trying to digest it, Peter spoke, “Lord, how
good it is that we are here! If you wish, I will make three
tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
In spite of the request, the disciples had to leave that
pleasant experience for the not so pleasant tasks that awaited
them. They had to face and attend to the realities of the
world.
Christianity is not about a ‘fine inside
feeling’ – or sensational Christianity; it is an engagement as
partners with God for the enhancement of the world – for the
enhancement of Africa. The crowd waited for Jesus and the
disciples – the crowd awaits us too! We are called to come
down from the ‘holy mountains,’ from the four walls of our
church buildings where we have communion with God, to face the
realities of the world, to get engaged to make Africa a better
place.
Submitted by Rev. ACee Temple Anono
PRAYER
Almighty God, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he
suffered death upon the cross, give us faith to perceive his
glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him, and be
changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen. PRAY FOR: Morocco (National Day – March 2) Ghana
(National day – March 6)
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Exodus 34: 29 – 35; 1 Kings 19: 9 ‐18; 2 Corinthians 3: 12
– 18; 2 Peter 1: 16 – 19; Psalm 122; Genesis 28: 10 – 19
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