Prepare for the Transfiguration of Our Lord
Within the liturgy for each Lord’s day, we receive the Word of God through uniquely appointed readings, psalms, hymns, and prayers. This week we will pray the Divine Service Setting One (audio of this liturgy). The following guide will help you to prepare to hear and sing the Propers, i.e. the varied texts and hymns for this week.
Historical Note on the Transfiguration:
Today, we sing our final Alleluia until Easter with the 11th century hymn "Alleluia, Song of Gladness.” The Transfiguration became the object of a liturgical feast in the 5th century in the East Syrian liturgy, and then spread to the other Eastern churches. It appears in the liturgies of churches in the Franco-Roman empire in the 10th century. It was officially taken in the calendar of the Roman Church in 1457 under Pope Calixtus III and celebrated on August 6th in commemoration of the victory of John of Capistrano over the Turks in the previous year. The Lutheran Reformation re-located the feast to the last Sunday after Epiphany although some Lutheran churches (Church of Sweden) and the Anglican Church continued to observe the August date.
JESUS IS TRANSFIGURED AND MANIFESTS HIS GLORYThe Lord appeared to Moses in the light of the burning bush (Ex. 3:1–14). Later Moses' face would shine with the light of God's glory when he came down from Mount Sinai (Ex. 34:29–35). At the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with the One who is the Light of Light Himself (Matt. 17:1–9). Jesus' glory as God shines with brilliant splendor in and through His human nature. By this epiphany, our Lord confirmed the prophetic word (2 Pet. 1:16–21), revealing that He is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. He manifested His majesty as the eternal Son of the Father, and He wonderfully foreshowed our adoption as sons (Collect). We who have been baptized into Christ's body are given a glimpse of the glory that we will share with Him in the resurrection on the Last Day.
Collect of the Day: O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace.
Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Readings:
Old Testament: Ex. 34:29-35
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.%2034%3A29-35
Epistle:2 Pet. 1:16-21
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Pet.%201%3A16-21
Holy Gospel:Matt. 17:1-9
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.%2017%3A1-9
Hymns:
671 Sing with all the saints in glory Mississippi Video
413 O wondrous type! O vision fair Deo gracias (Agincourt Hymn) Video
538 Praise be to Christ in whom we see O grosser Gott Video
414 Tis good, Lord, to be here Potsdam Video
548 Thanks to Thee, O Christ victorious Werde munter Video
639 Wide open stand the gates adorned with pearl Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt Video