Pastor’s Corner “A Long Walk with Jesus”

We are in our final few days of Epiphany, the season celebrating the revelation who Jesus is: “The radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3), sent by the Father into the world to rescue all people out of sin, darkness, and death into holiness, light, and life. This last Sunday of Epiphany, Transfiguration Sunday, is a culminating moment of this revelation, and we’re invited to join Peter, James, and John in becoming fully awake to the true Jesus (Luke 9:32).

Jesus consistently invited these three disciples to walk with him in unique ways, and each time they were given an even clearer vision of who he is. The Transfiguration of Jesus literally shines as the brightest of these visions (Luke 9:28-35:1-9). The biblical context of this event fits well within the liturgical flow from Epiphany to Lent.

Just days before this moment Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah, and Jesus begins teaching the disciples that this truth will require his suffering and death (Luke 9:18-27). Luke tells us that Moses and Elijah are discussing with the transfigured Jesus his impending crucifixion (Luke 9:30-31). And when Jesus walks down the mountain with his three disciples, he is heading down the road to Jerusalem. The Transfiguration is the Scriptural bridge from the brightness of the Epiphany into the Lenten journey to the Cross.

This Sunday, and this Lent, Jesus is inviting you to walk with him, that you may see more clearly who he truly is  – a revelation that comes to fullness in the light of his death and resurrection. The prologue to Lent is bright: the celebration of the Transfiguration on Sunday, and the feasting on pancakes, playing games, and singing praise this Shrove Tuesday, March 4, starting at 5pm at the Mission Outpost/Worship House. Lent begins the following day, Ash Wednesday, with the Imposition of Ashes offered at 12pm, and the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist offered at 7pm (childcare provided at this 7pm service). At those services, you will be invited “to the observance of a holy Lent: by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and alms-giving; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word” (p. 544, BCP 2019).

On Sunday, we will give you a Lenten guide entitled, “A Long Walk with Jesus.” This guide offers a variety of ways to walk with Jesus each week. I encourage you to read through these disciplines ahead of time, prayerfully decide which practices you will observe, then ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with his power and grace “that you may faithfully keep this Lent” (BCP 2019).

Using this guide together will enable us to walk with Jesus this Lent as a church family. In earlier times, Lent was a discipline taken on by an entire community, people supporting each other in engaging these “rhythms of grace.” This can become another experience of koinonia – a communing with each other and our Trinitarian God that results in transformation and joy (1 John 1:1-4).

I pray that this will be a turning point in all our lives, as we turn from the other voices that disturb, distract, and tempt us, to walk together with Jesus and listen to his voice.

Your Pastor in Christ,