Month: February 2017

Matthew 17:1-9 – Listen to him!

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

“Transfiguration” by Jim Janknegt. Used with permission.

Matthew 17:1-9

1Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes, bringing your attention to the Breath.
  • Remember a time of grace in your life, a time when you know you encountered the Holy One.
  • What details do you remember about that experience of being with the Holy One?  What did you see?  hear?  feel?  taste?  smell?
  • How was Jesus was transfigured before you?
  • What fear did you encounter?
  • How did Jesus speak to you to help you understand the experience and your relationship with him?
  • On this side of the resurrection we do not have to be afraid to tell.
  • What arises in you that desires to go and tell?
  • What is God’s message for you?
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, February 26, 2017, the Transfiguration of the Lord (Year A)

Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 2
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings (c) 2017 The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD

2 Peter 1:16-21 – As to a lamp shining in a dark place

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2 Peter 1:16-21

16For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 18We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

19So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes bringing your attention to the Breath.
  • Hear the prophetic message, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
  • This is the Son who is born into the world for us, teaches us about real  life and real love, dies a horrific death for us, and is raised into new life to guide us to those who need to know his message of compassion and love.
  • These words of the prophet are the lamp shining in a dark place.
  • How do these words need to reach the dark places in you today?
  • How do these words need tor each the dark places in the world today?
  • The day is dawning.  How does your heart desire to respond?
  • What is God’s message for you?
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, February 26, 2017, the Transfiguration of the Lord (Year A)

Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 2
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings (c) 2017 The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD

Psalm 2: Happy are all who take refuge in God

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

Psalm 2

1   Why do the nations conspire,
and the peoples plot in vain?
2   The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the LORD and his anointed, saying,
3   “Let us burst their bonds asunder,
and cast their cords from us.”

4   He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the LORD has them in derision.
5   Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6   “I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.”

7   I will tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to me, “You are my son;
today I have begotten you.
8   Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
9   You shall break them with a rod of iron,
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

10  Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11  Serve the LORD with fear,
with trembling 12 kiss his feet,
or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way;
for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Happy are all who take refuge in him.

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to ten minutes in stillness with the Breath.
  • What in the world is trying to capture your attention from God?
  • What strength do you need to return to God and take refuge?
  • Who in the world is trying to capture your attention from God?
  • What courage do you need to return to God and take refuge?
  • Happy are all who take refuge in God.
  • Return to the Breath.
  • How does God want you to take refuge in a new way?
  • What is God’s message for you?
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, February 19, 2017, the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, February 26, 2017, the Transfiguration of the Lord (Year A)

Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 2
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings (c) 2017 The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD

Exodus 24:12-18 Moses was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

Exodus 24:12-18

12The LORD said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.”

15Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. 17Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Bring your attention to the Breath.  Inhale freedom and exhale unfreedom.  Continue this exercise for 5 to 10 minutes.  With each breath, imagine you are ascending the mountain to be with God.
  • Notice the life that the freedom gives you.
  • Notice any resistance, tension, or obstacles that impede your ascent.  Allow the breath to reach these places and exhale the unfreedom.
  • When you reach the place on the top of the mountain, sit and wait for God.
  • What do you notice?
  • What do you need?
  • What do you anticipate?
  • What do you resist?
  • Return to the Breath.
  • Sit and wait.
  • What is God’s message for you?
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, February 26, 2017, the Transfiguration of the Lord (Year A)

Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 2
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings (c) 2017 The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD

Matthew 5:38-48 – Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

Matthew 5:38-48

38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 40and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; 41and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Pay attention to the Breath for five to ten minutes.
  • In this place of freedom as you are one with the Breath, how do you desire to love your enemies today?
  • How do you desire to love those who persecute you?
  • What do you need from God to be freed from enemies and persecutors?
  • How does God want to give this peace to you?
  • How do you want to accept this peace to carry with you?
  • What is God’s message for you?
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, February 19, 2017, the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Psalm 119:33-40
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
Matthew 5:38-48

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings (c) 2017 The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD

1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 – God’s temple is holy and you are that temple

/ Lil Smith / Leave a comment

1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23

10According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ.

16Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

18Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
“He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
20and again,
“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are futile.”
21So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all belong to you, 23and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Bring your attention to the Breath.
  • Inhale God’s Wisdom.  Exhale the world’s wisdom.
  • Inhale God’s Wisdom.  Exhale the world’s wisdom.
  • Inhale God’s Wisdom.  Exhale the world’s wisdom.
  • What deception in the world do you need to bring to God today?
  • Name the healing you need from this deception.
  • Name the healing the world needs from this deception.
  • Name the healing God desires for this deception.
  • How do you desire to leave this deception with God today?
  • What peace does God have for you in its place?
  • What is God’s message for you?
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, February 19, 2017, the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18
Psalm 119:33-40
1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23
Matthew 5:38-48

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings (c) 2017 The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD