This Week in Worship
Mar 2, 2025: On the Mountain to Pray
Luke 9: 28-43a

Rev. Dr. Leslie Taylor, preaching

This is the last week of the Season of Epiphany; Lent begins next week. For Luke, the Transfiguration is in many ways the mother of all epiphany stories ("epiphany" means "showing forth") since it reveals Jesus as a prophet and, above all, as God's beloved child.

The Transfiguration is one of the quintessential mountaintop experiences in scripture: a glimpse of divine glory, a word from God, and an experience that changes all who are present.

This is one of many instances in Luke-Acts where prayer sets the stage for significant events, decisions, and ministry moments. Jesus, Peter, James, and John ascend the mountain to pray, and it is as "he was praying" that the Transfiguration took place.

The disciples are tempted to stay on the mountain, but Jesus reminds them there is ministry on the other side of the mountain — down in the valley — among the people. They come down to find a father with his only son, who is suffering from epilepsy. The disciples couldn't heal him, but Jesus did.

Epiphany concludes today: Jesus has "shown forth" as a healer and a liberator, a teacher and a shining prophet. Think of this passage itself as a high "mountain" in the midst of Luke's Gospel.

On one side, we climb up through stories of Jesus' healing, liberating ministry. And on the other side, we descend down to Jerusalem. Today, we arrive at a clearing on the mountaintop — and from here, we can survey both how far we've come and the 40-day Lenten journey ahead.

The way we worship is the way we live.

Worship is the work of the people, bringing together our fullest selves in a communal act of love and gratitude.  Each voice is important; each person is valued as the Spirit draws out our authentic gifts and talents, shared in the ever-widening circle of God’s people.  We hope you’ll join us this week as we gather to worship the God of extravagant welcome.