A Reflection and Prayers for the Sunday before Lent

Old Testament Glory.

God’s glory is a terrifying (and frequently destructive) thing.

That would have to be the unequivocal conclusion that even a casual reading of the Old Testament would lead you to.

The Passover, Moses at mount Sinai, Elijah in his cave, Isaiah in the year King Uzziah died, Daniel’s visions … they all attest to the fact that the normal consequence of an encounter with God’s glory is to shrivel up and died. Only a select few, who we might consider to be “friends of God”, can possibly endure it.

Why? Well, put simply, mortal and eternal don’t mix.

If any creature other than Moses so much as touches the holy mountain, they are destroyed. If anyone other than the designated Levitical priest approaches the Ark of the Covenant, they die a horrible death. Elijah has to be hidden in the rock when God passes by, and Isaiah thinks he is history because he has seen the Lord.

It’s not that God punishes his people for their presumption – not a, “How dare you?” – it’s just that the stuff we’re made of can’t cope. Like Icarus flying too close to the sun with his wax wings. Mortal flesh can’t be exposed to such glory – unless God provides substantial PPE.

New Testament Glory.

So … what’s “new” about the New Testament? Pretty much everything really.

“The Word was made flesh … and we beheld his glory. The glory as of the only son of the Father.”

So, if we take on board the Old Testament understanding, we can see how revolutionary the concept of beholding God’s glory is. Not just Moses and Elijah can see it, and endure it, but ordinary fishermen and dim-witted disciples like you and me. Because God’s glory is no longer a distant, transcendent, unbearable experience; it’s been made flesh. It doesn’t destroy, it builds up. It fills us, not with terror, but with awe.

Is this a different glory? Has God changed and become more friendly? Well, not if we mean anything by, “Glory to the Father … as it was in the beginning, is now and shall be forever.” Eternal changelessness is God’s middle name. Same God, same glory.

But what has changed is the way we are able to approach God.

The mystery of the Incarnation is not just for Christmas. God has brought two things that just won’t mix into one person. Fully human and fully eternal. Now, when we approach God, we see his glory in the face of Jesus – of a mortal like us. A human can approach a human; not a problem. People pressed in on Jesus from every side, they clung to his robes and were not destroyed, but healed. At the moment, we’re trying to get our heads round human contact spreading Coronavirus – but true human contact is a glorious thing and spreads only love. We mustn’t let this epidemic shake our faith in that. Speed the day when we can affirm it once more, and share the Peace with one another.

And (notice, it’s an “And” this week, not a “But”!). And, when we approach Jesus, we also approach the glory of the eternal God, who dwells in unapproachable light. Because, by his grace, we are magically transfigured into Moses and Elijah, who can endure it, who can stand in God’s presence and serve him.

Why? Because, by grace alone, Jesus calls us his friends. No longer a select few, but everyone who thirsts for God can now be – with Abraham and Moses, with Isaiah and Elijah – a friend of God.

 

 

Prayers for Transfiguration

1 Jesus, Lord of all, you invite us to share in the banquet of your love, and you call us to share that love with all your children. Strengthen us and all your church to bring joy and hope to all people

Lord of light and love              Shine among us

2 Jesus, Lord of all, you invite us to share in the peace of your kingdom, and you call us to share that peace with all your children. Today we remember the many places of tragedy and violence in our world, and ask you to strengthen us to work and pray for peace and the good of all. We hold in our prayers the people of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria, Iraq and Yemen; all who are made homeless; and all those affected by the Covid epidemic.

Lord of light and love              Shine among us

3  Jesus, Lord of all, you invite us to share in the unity of your love, and you call us to be united with one another and all your children. Strengthen us and the communities in which we share to live together in tolerance and respect. Bless our local community and all who work to build up our common life. We pray for all who feel isolated or afraid during lock down, and for those whose jobs or livelihoods have become uncertain.

Lord of light and love              Shine among us

4 Jesus, Lord of all, you invite us to share in your compassion for all people, and you call us to bring healing and hop to all your children. Strengthen us and all your church to show love to those in need. We pray especially for ….

Lord of light and love              Shine among us

5 Jesus, Lord of all, you invite us to share in your victory over death, and you call us to share the good news of eternal life. Hear us as we remember all who have died in faith, especially those whose journey we have shared, and bring us all to the joy of heaven. Today we remember ….

Lord of light and love              Shine among us

 

Merciful Father ….

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