Upcoming Sunday Epistle Readings
The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Sunday 6 August 2017
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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The obvious reason for the usage of this Epistle for the Feast of the Transfiguration is that here Peter reflects on the fact that he was present for that moment when the Lord was transfigured and shown in the company of Moses and Elijah. But there is something of substance for us to consider in this reading beyond the apostle’s presence on the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter speaks of inspiration. He shares that Scripture is not a matter of one’s own interpretation or opinion, but rather that God the Holy Spirit inspired men and women to write and to speak in the name of God. It is this inspiration that continues to make the Scriptures relevant in our own day and generation. The Spirit inspires in specific times and places for all times and places. Indeed then we do well to be attentive to the words of wisdom that are indeed the Word of God. And when we are attentive to that Word of God, we are transfigured by Christ who was transfigured on the Mountain. Our encountering Christ changes us, and we will never be the same again. Christ the Word of God makes a difference in our generation, as he always has, and always shall.
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Father Timothy Alleman
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