Scripture Text (NRSV)
2 Corinthians 4:5-12
4:5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we
proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as
your slaves for Jesus' sake.
4:6 For it is the God who said, "Let light
shine out of darkness," who has shone in our
hearts to give the light of the knowledge of
the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
4:7 But we have this treasure in clay jars, so
that it may be made clear that this
extraordinary power belongs to God and does
not come from us.
4:8 We are afflicted in every way, but not
crushed; perplexed, but not driven to
despair;
4:9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down,
but not destroyed;
4:10 always carrying in the body the death of
Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be
made visible in our bodies.
4:11 For while we live, we are always being
given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the
life of Jesus may be made visible in our
mortal flesh.
4:12 So death is at work in us, but life in
you.
Comments:
The first Sunday of each month is Communion Sunday in my church and I
always try to relate the scripture and sermon to the sacrament. It is
sometimes difficult to do this. This text seems more appropriate than
the other choices for this Sunday. V. 6 speaks of God "who has shone
in our hearts..." Maybe the connection could be that Communion is a
means of grace and, therefore, through the sacrament God can shine in
our hearts as well. How to develop this idea? I hope I'm not
stretching too far with this. Creature Wayne
Wayne -- one way to interpret this text in regards to Communion is
that it is only by God's grace that we can discern his presence in
bread and wine; apart from grace that presence is veiled. -- Mike in
Maryland
Wayne: I think you could relate the Gospel lesson to Communion in this
way -- in the Transfiguration Jesus is seen as completely pure and
clean -- his clothing is whiter than any bleach could make it, which
symbolizes this. In the Anglican "prayer of humble access" there is
lovely poetic language about Communion being our way to share in that
cleanliness and purity. The prayer includes these words: "Grant us
..., gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of they dear Son Jesus Christ,
and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by
his most body and our souls washed through his most precious blood,
and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us." (The latter part
of the petition could also be used to comment on how the building of
dwellings [tabernacles] for Jesus is not to be done on the mountaintop
as Peter wants to do, but in our lives.)
Blessings, Eric in KS
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God--it reminds me of the
old lightbulb over a cartoon character's head when he/she suddenly got
an insight. God's light shines into the darkness of our own minds and
illumines them. I've been reading again the Church Fathers and the
discussion about faith bringing about understanding. I think there
might be a connection--the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
affects other understandings and world views as well. JMK in PA
Transfiguration has always been a difficult Sunday to preach. It is so
mystical and other-worldly. I have been trying to understand this text
in light of a comment my son made. He is in college and is going
through a time of questionning a lot regarding his faith. He wonders
what the Gospel of Jesus Christ has to do with the situation our world
is in now. There is a lot of awareness of people of other religions;
Muslim,Jewish, etc., as they are focused in the Middle East. If Jesus
is the only way to the Father, then are we destining all these people
to hell? That is his question. I wonder if that is a question that
many people are asking? Is there a veil that is covering our
understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Is this Gospel inclusive
or exclusive? Can Christ be the way to the Father, even though these
religions don't know Him as the Redeemer ?
Tom from MO
"For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord" -- hmmm...
I'm struggling with that one. Obviously we seek to glorify God, not
ourselves. But how does that mesh with the wisdom that says our
congregation neeeds to have a unique identity that we tell others
about?
I've gained much from the church growth movement, but I think this is
a call to get back to the most basic of basics... Jesus.
I've been out of town all week at a Continuing Ed Seminar and not able
to keep up with the discussion. Thanks Mike and Eric for your
suggestions. You have given me wider options that I came up with on my
own. Bless you! Creature Wayne
