Sunday 16 March 2025

Today is Sunday the 16th of March, the 2nd Sunday of Lent.

Steffany Gretzinger sings, ‘Show Me Your Face’.

Moses stood on a mountain
Waiting for You to pass by
You put Your hand over his face
So in Your Presence, he wouldn't die
And all of Israel saw the glory
And it shines down through the age
Now You've called me
To boldly seek Your Face
Show me Your face, Lord
Show me Your face
And then gird up my legs
That I might stand in this holy place
Show me Your face, Lord
Your power and Your grace
Your power and grace
I would make it to the end
If I can just see Your face
David knew there was something more
Than the ark of Your presence
In a manger Messiah was born
Among kings and peasants
And all of Israel saw the glory
And it shines down through the age
Now You've called us
To boldly seek Your face
Show me Your face, Lord
Show me Your face
And then gird up my legs
That I might stand in this holy place
Show me Your face, Lord
Your power and Your grace
Your power and grace
I will make it to the end
If I can just see Your face
I know I will make it to the end
If I can just see Your face

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 9:28-36

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Peter, James and John see Jesus in a new way. They see his glory – in other words they see in Jesus, the splendour of God. For a moment, imagine yourself with them on that mountain and sense what it must it have been like.

Moses and Elijah are there with Jesus. They represent all that God has done, through history, to show his great love for his people. In what way do you need to know God’s love today?

As you listen again to the reading, keep in mind what Peter says, ‘it is good for us to be here’. How might it be good for you to be present to this scene?

At the end of the reading, the disciples find themselves alone with Jesus. You too can be with him in the same way, now. What do you want to say to him? What might he want to say to you?

You have given all to me
To you, Lord, I return it
Everything is Yours
Do with it what You will
Give me only Your love and Your grace
That is enough for me
Amen