Scripture – 2 Peter 1:16-21 NRSVUE
16 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. 17 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.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 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. 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
From Rev. Heather Leffler
Each year on the Sunday before Lent, we read the Transfiguration story from one of the gospels – Matthew, Mark or Luke. This year in our epistle reading we hear Peter’s first had account of what happened that day – what he, James and John heard and saw on that mountain. Peter is clear – this was no cleverly devised story. He is bearing witness to something he saw and heard with his own eyes and ears. He saw Jesus transfigured before his eyes and heard God say Jesus is his beloved son.
Peter – who left his fishing boat and family to follow Jesus, walked on water and faltered, declared Jesus the Messiah and then rebuked Jesus when Jesus said he had to go to Jerusalem and the cross, who with Paul and the other apostles founded the Christian Church – assures us that the Holy Spirit is with us whatever is happening in our lives, our churches and the world.
Peter experienced firsthand the voice of God, the presence of Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That one and the same Lord has called us to be the church and invites us to listen and be guided by the Spirit in our personal lives and as community. Peter shares his testimony so that even in dark places his witness will be a lamp assuring us of the Holy One’s presence in our lives. He offers his testimony like a lamp in a dark place – not to blind us with certainty, but to give just enough light for the next faithful step.
As you gather for focus groups, you are not simply planning programs or imagining possibilities. You are listening – for the same Spirit who moved prophets, who spoke on the mountain, and who continues to guide the church. Discernment is less about finding the perfect strategy and more about paying attention to where the light is already shining among us.
This week as you engage the questions offered for the focus groups you are invited to listen for God speaking to you and through you and others – trusting that the voice Peter, James and John heard still speaks to us.
Contemplation and Conversation
When have you experienced God’s presence in your life or in our church –
and how might that experience guide us as we look to the future?
Prayer
God of mountaintops and crosses, thank you for Peter’s witness
that reminds us your light still shines in dark places.
When the way forward feels uncertain, be our lamp and our morning star.
Open our ears to hear your Spirit, and shape us into the church
you are calling us to be in this time and space. Amen.
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