Transfiguration Sunday

God speaks from heaven directly to the disciples, giving them the one commandment that comes straight out of the mouth of God. At this transfiguration moment, God announces, “This is my Son, my Chosen One…” That voice from out of the cloud commands them, “Listen to him!” Listen to my Son… Listen to my Chosen One… This Son, this Chosen One, speaks with the full authority of the God of heaven and earth. God has chosen him and essentially said of him (as Jesus would later say of those he chose), “He who hears you, hears me.” The author of the book of Hebrews sets this priority of “listening” to Jesus at the very beginning of his writing, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (He. 1:1-2). The apostle Paul names this listening… this hearing… as the only way to obtain faith, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Ro. 10:17). Now to you… the Holy Spirit has called and installed a preacher in your midst, one who bears responsibility for speaking to you as Jesus Christ would speak. Jesus has endorsed this one chosen by the Holy Spirit, saying, “He who hears you, hears me.” Listen!

Prayers from one whose sin dismisses the necessity of a preacher but whose faith demands the preacher be heard…

Father, you sent your only begotten Son so that we who have ears would listen to him. Grant that in so hearing him, I would receive the faith your Holy Spirit works in me. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father, you sent your only begotten Son so that we who have ears would listen to him. Grant me a preacher of Jesus Christ, him crucified, and him alone so that the faith you give me rests on nothing else than that Son of yours, my singular savior. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father, you sent your only begotten Son so that we who have ears would listen to him. Grant me such faith that I endure in hope and love until that day when faith becomes sight. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father, you sent your only begotten Son so that we who have ears would listen to him. Grant me such ears that I hear my neighbors’ needs and rush in to fill them. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father, you sent your only begotten Son so that we who have ears would listen to him. Grant me such neighbors that they hear my needs and rush in to fill them. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father, you sent your only begotten Son so that we who have ears would listen to him. Grant that the Institute of Lutheran Theology continues to train preachers who are sent out to speak into those waiting ears. For Jesus’ sake. Amen

Father, you sent your only begotten Son so that we who have ears would listen to him. During these days of my baptism, fill my ears with your Word, Jesus Christ, and let me not be tempted to listen when the distracting voices of the devil, the world, and my sinful self speak. For Jesus’ sake. Amen