February 18, 2005	Read Mark 9: 2-13
“Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’” (v. 7)
CARRY THE LIGHT OF CHRIST TO OTHERS Whenever I hear or read this text, I am immediately transported to two particular events in the life of Christ that we celebrate every year. The first is the Baptism of Jesus as he began his earthly ministry. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus while a voice from heaven declared, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." The second occurred toward the end of Jesus’ time on earth as he was transfigured upon the mountaintop. His disciples, Peter, James and John, looked on and heard the voice as it once again declared, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" These events are the "bookends" of the season of Epiphany, in which we highlight and celebrate Jesus as the Light of the world. They are, indeed, mountaintop experiences full of light and glory. But between them, Jesus carried out his ministry of bringing light into the darkness of the everyday existence of ordinary people who lived with poverty, illness, and broken relationships. If we truly listen to him, we will both celebrate Jesus as the Light of the world in our worship and carry that light into the darkness of our world by our acts of charity and love.   O Lord, be with us always --- in our worship and in our daily lives --- as we show your love to others in all that we say and do. Amen Marlene Hallstrom

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