Eucharistic Readings for the Last Sunday in Epiphany: Year C
Exodus 34:29 to 35; Psalm 99; 2nd Corinthians 3:12 to 4:2; Luke 9:28 to 43:
“Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.” (Luke 9: 30)
It has been explained to me that Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the prophets. Therefore, to Jesus, comes the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
This scene is further testified to by Peter to others as found in 2nd Peter 1:18. As Moses and Elijah appeared before Peter, James and John it is evidence of the resurrection of those who came before Jesus making Jesus the first fruits of creation.
So how did Peter, James and John know who Moses and Elijah were? There were no emails, or pictures that could have been shared. Perhaps this was another one of those examples where the Holy Spirit is filling in the gaps of our unknowing.
This radiance of Jesus is the last holy light we will see for a while. Ash Wednesday is three days away. You won’t hear about Lent in the news or in the shopping centers. The secular world goes from Valentine’s Day to Easter. There is no money to be made with people reflecting on who God is calling them to be, or the reconciliation of relationships, or repentance.
Moses obeyed God and went back to Egypt to lead God’s chosen out of bondage. Elijah and the prophets prophesied about the wrath to come if people didn’t change their ways. Both were called to do dangerous work. Both appeared before Jesus and were witnessed by new followers, Peter, James and John, who were also called to do dangerous work. As you are Christian, you too are called to step out of your comfort zone and follow God’s call for the benefit of others. Let us continue to remember and support the people of Ukraine.
We at St Paul’s in the Pines will switch to Rite I during Lent for Sunday Services during Lent. This is the Church in its purest form. It is not about the market or sales or whatever the latest thing is. It is about the cloud of unknowing filling in the gaps of our understanding and providing reconciliation and opportunities for repentance.
Just a few sentences down in Luke’s account of the Gospel in our reading for today, we will be informed by that cloud, that Jesus is God’s beloved son and that we are to “listen to him.” And listening in this context means obeying. And Jesus says for us to “Follow Him.”
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, to serve, and to teach, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 