Hymn: Upon the Height of Tabor's Mount
I have worshipped in parishes in the almost forty years of my life, I have become increasingly aware that the wonders of our hymnal (TEC 1982) include a surprising lack of options for certain days of the year or biblical themes. The Transfiguration is one such story. Occurring twice in the lectionary with its own feast day and Last Epiphany, the hymnal has a rather thin set of offerings to commemorate this incredible hinge moment as Galilean ministry becomes Jerusalemite mission.
Behold and Beholding the Glory
Jesus doesn’t become glorious on the mountain. He has always been glorious, from before the beginning of time, from before the foundations of the world. In the Transfiguration, we find the veil being pulled back and Jesus is seen and revealed as he truly is!
The Glory and the Majesty
The Feast of the Transfiguration is a high and holy day (pardon the liturgical pun) because we are invited to ascend the mountain with Jesus and the disciples and there “behold the King in His beauty.”