Supplemental Collect for the Feast of the Transfiguration
and the Anniversary of the Bombing of Hiroshima:
Ineffable God,
Who speaks to us through clouds and in high places:
Give us the grace to hear your voice speaking to us today,
Not only in the clouds of incense,
Not only in the cloud when your Son was transfigured before his disciples,
Not only in the cloud leading your people through the Wilderness,
But also in the terrible cloud of death that arose over Hiroshima,
The cloud arising from the latent murder in each of our hearts.
Speak to our hearts that they may bear the fruit of peace,
And that our cities may receive the gentle descent of your Holy Spirit,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Appointed Readings for the Feast of the Transfiguration emphasize that God is king and judge. We are not in charge – no matter how hard we try to be – God is.
Exodus 34: 29-35 – Moses is transfigured after receiving the commandments. In God’s presence he stands alone and unveiled; but the glory is hidden from the people.
Psalm 99 – the Lord is king and the Holy One. The Lord loves justice and shows mercy, but also punishes evil deeds.
2 Peter 1:13-21 – This is Peter’s witness to the Transfiguration of Jesus. It was, and is, confirmation of the Law and the message of the Prophets, interpreted by the community of faith. Peter goes on to speak about false prophets and that we are always to be on guard against them.
Luke 9: 28-36 – The Transfiguration of our Lord takes place in presence of Moses and Elijah, figures of the Law and the Prophets. The human tendency is to build shrines and remain in contemplation of the mountaintop. But we are called to go to Jerusalem and conform the powers of this world.
The following may be read as a litany with response by the congregation; or it may be read as a meditation without response. If it is used as a litany, the suggested response after each couplet is:
Response: “Lord, Teacher, it is good that we are here”
The plane flew high over the city alone, by itself,
Jesus took Peter and James and John apart by themselves;
And there was a blinding flash and faces disappeared,
And his face was transfigured and glistened like the sun;
And a dense cloud rose from the ground until it covered the earth,
And a bright cloud overshadowed them;
And a din came out of the cloud as if to say,
“This is the Bomb with which we are well pleased, look at it”
And a voice came out of the cloud saying,
“This is my Beloved Son with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him:”
And they threw their hands over their eyes,
And they fell on their faces in fear and awe and wonder;
And a nightmarish age of fear was given birth,
And He spoke to them saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”
Master and risen Lord,
Transform our hearts to be filled with your peace;
Translate our hopes into daily acts of justice;
Transfigure our faces to shine with your radiance;
That we may be loving friends to all your children
And faithful followers of our brother your Son Jesus Christ
Who with you and the Holy Spirit is able to make all things new.
Amen
From the Episcopal Peace Fellowship
Written by Mary Miller and the Rev. Gary Commins
637 S. Dearborn St.
Chicago, Illinois 60605
