Sermon Transcript: February 19, 2012 The Last Sunday after the Epiphany The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin
Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9
From Mark’s Gospel, “Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.’” I speak to you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I think that one of the marvelous things about Holy Scripture is its telling of how God chooses ordinary, everyday people just like you and me to carry forth God’s message and light in this world.
Our Old Testament reading from 2ndKings tells how Elisha received a double blessing from Elijah and carried on God’s mission of reconciliation to the people of Israel. Elisha had no special training nor did he possess any of the skills we would think necessary for a prophet to hold or required of anyone to be successful in ministry. Like the Prophet Moses before him and his master Elijah, Elisha was an unlikely candidate for ministry: he spoke poorly and was a non-descript person. And yet, we learn from this particular reading that he was totally dedicated and committed to his master and that was all God needed to carry his message and light in this world.
Our gospel lesson this morning tells the story of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. Present with Jesus were Peter, James and John. We know Peter all too well as someone who was often brash; who jumped to conclusions; was quick to speak and slow to think. Mark tells us that once again Peter has put his foot in his mouth. He says, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.” He should have stopped there, but that wouldn’t be typical of Peter. He just had to say more. Peter blurts out, “Let us build three dwellings (or shrines)” to commemorate this occasion and in speaking these words, he misses the whole point of the Transfiguration. I think that what I like about Peter is that I can see myself in him: We tend to think that when confronted with an act of God, a miracle, an answered prayer, a sense of God’s presence, we have to do something special. Yet, Mark tells us that Jesus remained silent and a voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my Son; the beloved. Listen to him.” God does not need more shrines and dwelling places. What God seeks is a people who will listen to God and try to see God present in every aspect of our lives.
Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12; Psalm 50:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Mark 9:2-9
From Mark’s Gospel, “Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.’” I speak to you in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I think that one of the marvelous things about Holy Scripture is its telling of how God chooses ordinary, everyday people just like you and me to carry forth God’s message and light in this world.
Our Old Testament reading from 2ndKings tells how Elisha received a double blessing from Elijah and carried on God’s mission of reconciliation to the people of Israel. Elisha had no special training nor did he possess any of the skills we would think necessary for a prophet to hold or required of anyone to be successful in ministry. Like the Prophet Moses before him and his master Elijah, Elisha was an unlikely candidate for ministry: he spoke poorly and was a non-descript person. And yet, we learn from this particular reading that he was totally dedicated and committed to his master and that was all God needed to carry his message and light in this world.
Our gospel lesson this morning tells the story of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. Present with Jesus were Peter, James and John. We know Peter all too well as someone who was often brash; who jumped to conclusions; was quick to speak and slow to think. Mark tells us that once again Peter has put his foot in his mouth. He says, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.” He should have stopped there, but that wouldn’t be typical of Peter. He just had to say more. Peter blurts out, “Let us build three dwellings (or shrines)” to commemorate this occasion and in speaking these words, he misses the whole point of the Transfiguration. I think that what I like about Peter is that I can see myself in him: We tend to think that when confronted with an act of God, a miracle, an answered prayer, a sense of God’s presence, we have to do something special. Yet, Mark tells us that Jesus remained silent and a voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my Son; the beloved. Listen to him.” God does not need more shrines and dwelling places. What God seeks is a people who will listen to God and try to see God present in every aspect of our lives.
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