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Having considered the familiar where we are, we now raise our vision to the horizon and ask, “Where are we going?” Perhaps a better question is, “Who are we becoming?” Living in the light of the epiphany of the incarnated Christ, we are called to become more—more as individuals certainly, but also more as a community. In Part 2 of the “Where You Are” series, we will look at aspects of this beloved community and consider if this describes who we are and who we want to be. Some of this is within our grasp already, and we celebrate our strengths. But some of it may seem like a far horizon as we seek the Spirit’s strength to grow into our calling as the body of Christ.
We are talking about priorities this week. In what do we put our trust? By what scale do we measure our value? This could be a day for a statement of faith to remind us where our allegiance lies. Like Peter in the boat, we have the opportunity to leave everything and follow Jesus—or to reaffirm our commitment to follow unhesitatingly.
Psalm 138:1-2
I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.
We are familiar with the Beatitudes, Matthew’s version of these sayings from Jesus. We aren’t as well versed in the Sermon on the Plain, which is our text for this week. There is some overlap between the two, of course, but there are also some significant differences. We tend to turn to these sayings for comfort, to find blessings in our everyday life. Certainly, we can still do that. But there is more in these words, and some of it is a little hard to take. “Rejoice in that day,” Jesus says, not about good things that happen, but about suffering, about being hated, about being rejected. This is not something we want to feel joy about. So, what is the invitation that Jesus issues here and how do we practice that as we worship?
Psalm 1:1-2
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path that sinners tread or sit in the seat of scoffers, but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.
What if before a prayer is prayed or a litany recited, there is space and direction to read and consider? The pastor or worship leader would be inviting the community to live into the words, rather than simply repeating them. “Listen to your own voice,” you might say. Claim the words we say and the prayers we pray. Claim them as your own. Wrestle with them; chew them over; let them be real to you.
Luke 6:27-31
“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who ask of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Transfiguration is about astonishment. It is about amazement. It is about awe. It’s something that might be hard to capture in worship in your overly familiar sanctuary with the people you know so well. So, how do we capture this sense in our weekly expression of worship? We sing it. And we see it. Art is probably the best way to evoke a sense of awe. This week, then, let us find the hymns that speak of the wonder of Christ, the amazing love, the transforming grace, the constant presence.
Psalm 99:1-5
The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! The LORD is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples. Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is he! Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob. Extol the LORD our God; worship at his footstool. Holy is he!