A Message from the Rector, Feb. 8, 2021

"One thing have I desired of the Lord; one thing I seek:*
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life" (Psalm 27:4)
 
Dear Parish Family:
 
As I reviewed the Scripture Readings this week (my first week back), I could hardly believe that next week we enter Lent. It is difficult to go back to last year when our hope was to enter into a Holy Lent, a 40 day fast of self examination and repentance. Little did we know that in the middle of Lent our fast would have lasted this long!
 
This Sunday we conclude the season of Epiphany with the Transfiguration. We move from the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles to a manifestation of Christ's radiant glory.
 
Moses asked God to show him his glory (Exodus 33:18-23) and we learn that God could not reveal his full glory to a sinful human and even with a portion of God's glory, Moses had to shield his face with a veil because he reflected a portion of God's glory.
 
Our Epistle reading is from the first chapter of 2nd Peter and it recounts the disciple's eyewitness testimony of the Holy Spirit's role in carrying us along as we await the fullness of His glory when Jesus comes again.
 
As Jesus rose from the waters of baptism in the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven (God the Father) "You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased. Likewise, in the Transfiguration (Mark 9), another Theophany (Manifestation of the Trinity to humans) Jesus' radiant glory is revealed, God the Father affirms Jesus as His Son again but with the commandment "Listen to him". The Holy Spirit's presence is interpreted in the form of the cloud which The Father spoke from. However, it is easier for me to think of the Holy Spirit's manifestation to mankind on the Day of Pentecost.
 
It is the glory of God that illuminates, radiates, and draws us closer to God and it is the Holy Spirit who fills us with inspiration to increase our knowledge of God and His truth that Jesus is our Savior, our light in the midst of the darkness that often closes in around us. It is the Holy Spirit who nudges us to move in the direction of where God is.
 
"Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence." (Revelation 7:15)
 
Let us once again enter into a Holy Lent, allowing time from the daily distractions for the Holy Spirit to redirect our focus on being centered daily in our walk to the cross, taking each step yoked with Jesus who makes our burdens lighter.
 
May God's radiance be manifested in our lives, and our bodies become the temple of His presence, as His radiance spreads to others while our journey continues.
 
In Love and hope,
Rags+