Last Sunday after Epiphany

Collect
O God, who before the passion of thy only-begotten Son didst reveal his glory upon the holy mount: Grant unto us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Lesson: 1 Kings 19:9-18
There he went into a cave and spent the night.

And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him."

Second Lesson: 2 Peter 1:16-21
We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Psalm: 27

1. The LORD is my light and my salvation;
   whom then shall I fear? *
   the LORD is the strength of my life;
   of whom then shall I be afraid?
2. When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *
   it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who
   stumbled and fell.
3. Though an army should encamp against me, *
   yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4. And though war should rise up against me, *
   yet will I put my trust in him.
5. One thing have I asked of the LORD;
   one thing I seek; *
   that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days
   of my life;
6. To behold the fair beauty of the LORD *
   and to seek him in his temple.
7. For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe
   in his shelter; *
   he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling
   and set me high upon a rock.
8. Even now he lifts up my head *
   above my enemies round about me.
9. Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation
   with sounds of great gladness; *
   I will sing and make music to the LORD.
10. Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; *
    have mercy on me and answer me.
11. You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." *
    Your face, LORD, will I seek.
12. Hide not your face from me, *
    nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13. You have been my helper;
    cast me not away; *
    do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14. Though my father and my mother forsake me, *
    the LORD will sustain me.
15. Show me your way, O LORD; *
    lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16. Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *
    for false witnesses have risen up against me,
    and also those who speak malice.
17. What if I had not believed
    that I should see the goodness of the LORD *
    in the land of the living!
18. O tarry and await the LORD'S pleasure;
    be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *
    wait patiently for the LORD.

Gospel: Mark 9:2-9
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters-- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Collect & Psalm from the Book of Common Prayer
Other excerpts from the New International Bible