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February 12, 2021

The Thin Places of Transformation

Beth A. Richardson   |   Read Psalm 50:3-6

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Lectionary Week
February 8–14, 2021
Scripture Overview

In the week leading to Transfiguration Sunday, the texts all deal with holy, transforming light; but they also speak to the awkwardness of waiting for and finally experiencing that light. Elisha’s is a stop-and-go pilgrimage before he sees the chariots of fire. The psalmist proclaims the march of the sun across the sky while also waiting for the eschatological arrival of God’s justice for God’s people. Paul empathizes with the believers in Corinth who are having to wait and work to “give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.” Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up a mountain where they wait and are terrified by the cloud of glory that overshadows them.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

​
Read 2 Kings 2:1-12. Think of a time when you waited for a blessing from God. How did the waiting feel? How did you experience the blessing when it came?
Read Psalm 50:1-6. What helps you to be aware of God’s presence with you from “the rising of the sun to its setting” each day?
Read 2 Corinthians 4:3-6. What are the areas of your life where God is shining a light? Are there any areas where you may be blind to the light?
Read Mark 9:2-9. Identify a spiritual “mountaintop experience” you have had. What was the lasting impact of that experience on your life as a follower of Christ?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 50:3-6

3 Our God is coming; he won’t keep quiet. A devouring fire is before him; a storm rages all around him. 4 God calls out to the skies above and to the earth in order to judge his people: 5 “Bring my faithful to me, those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” 6 The skies proclaim his righteousness because God himself is the judge. Selah

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

There are troubling words in Psalm 50: “Before [God] is a devouring fire.” For months in 2020, we watched as Australia burned. The Australian wildfires covered an area twice the size of the state of Maryland. My mind could not comprehend the destruction on this scale. The news of this...

God of creation, we have failed to be stewards of this earth. Guide us in this time of chaos. Show us the individual actions we can take to help heal the world. Amen.


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