Pastor John Wright

This Sunday is the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday. I find it fascinating that the church historically has found these Scriptures good to read before starting the period of fasting and repentance of Lent -- a time in which those called to faith in Christ prepare for baptism and the rest of the church prepares for Easter by remembering their baptism in solidarity with those preparing.

The text begins with a story of Elijah, one of those gathered with Jesus on the Mount of the Transfiguration. Let's then move to the Gospel; the Epistle reading looks back upon the gospel.

Finally, a brief update on the distribution: we had 585 on Tuesday and 502 on Thursday; the recession/depression in Mid-City worsens. People are still grateful; Feeding America Foodbank with the other gifts sustain -- though one can sense it getting thin. If you visit our newly remodeled website (thanks Chris Fuerstenau!), you can find a "widget" to help us pay a new lift gate for our truck. We need about $9400; we added up last Sunday that over 60 tons of material pass through our courtyards monthly -- most being lifted by hand out of the truck. All we can do is be faithful, pray, and beg.

1 Kings 19:9-18

Horeb is the name in the book of Deuteronomy for Mount Sinai. What significance of this setting does this have for the setting? From whom has Elijah suffered persecution? Why? What is the result for Elijah?

What is the Lord's response? Why does Elijah face the strong wind and the earthquake amd the fire? What is the significance of God's absence there? How does Elijah "hear the sound of sheer silence"? Why does the divine voice come from sheer silence? Why does Elijah repeat himself? What does he discover as a result?

Can you see a pattern here? How does this pattern prepare you to see what happens to Jesus from his time of going up to Jerusalem until Easter?

Mark 9:2-9

Notice again the time span. What is the signicance of "six days later"? How does this mountain relate to Mount Sinai and link Jesus with Moses and Elijah? Who are they? What does the transfiguration indicate? Why white? (speculation encouraged!). Why would the three be terrified as/after Peter speaks? What is the Divine response to their terror? Is there terror misplaced? Should they be terrified? Why do they not then see anyone else? Why is the resurrection significant to tell people about the transfiguration?

2 Peter 1:16-19

What is the significance of the Transfiguration in 2 Peter? How does the Transfiguration function as a lamp shining in a dark place?

How does this "lamp" relate to the pattern seen in Elijah and then in the life of Jesus beginning with the Transfiguration? How does the Transfiguration lead us into Lent with the realization that it's end lies in Easter? How does this help us face the time of fasting and repentance that come with our Lenten observance? What does it mean to observe Lent inbetween Transfiguration Sunday and Easter?

Have a wonderful time together!