O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Feast of the Transfiguration, celebrated on August 6th, is a momentous event in the life of Christ and the Christian tradition. It holds profound significance as it reveals a glimpse of the divine glory of Jesus Christ. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all recount the Transfiguration. In these accounts, Jesus, accompanied by Peter, James, and John, ascends a mountain. He meets with Moses and Elijah and undergoes a remarkable transformation.
Unfortunately, the Transfiguration is one of those events that often is a victim of reductionism. There’s so much that occurs in such a short amount of time, so much meaning there, so much symbolism, so much beauty, so much emotion that it is difficult for us to process, so we make bulleted points. If you look up the significance of the Transfiguration, you’re often given a list:
Jesus’ divine nature is revealed
The Old and New Testaments come together
It’s one of five major events in the Life of Christ
The list goes on and on, and while all of these points are true, they strip the event of its miraculousness and miss the enormity of the event. The Transfiguration cannot be reduced to a bulleted list!
In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up to a high mountain. There, he undergoes a transfiguration before them. His face shines like the sun, and his clothes become as white as light. Immediately, the disciples witness Jesus’ divine nature, confirming that he is not merely a prophet or a rabbi but the very Son of God.
Moses & Elijah
Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appear, engaging in conversation with Jesus on the mountain. The significance lies in the fact that these great heroes of the faith, once thought to be dead, are now very much alive and present before Jesus. Both Moses, the lawgiver, and Elijah, the great prophet, pointed to the coming of the Messiah. Here, at this moment, they witness the fulfillment of their labors and God’s faithful call. It is noteworthy that this encounter takes place on a mountain, a location where Moses and Elijah often met with God.
In Luke 9:31, we learn that Moses and Elijah are talking with Jesus about his departure, which he is about to fulfill in Jerusalem. An interesting point that is often overlooked is that the Greek word for “departure” is “exodus.” So, Moses, who led the Israelites out of slavery in the original “Exodus,” and Elijah, the prophet who led a spiritual “exodus,” leading the people of Israel away from idolatry and back to faithfulness to God, are speaking with Jesus about the ultimate “exodus.” This ultimate “exodus” will deliver God’s people once and for all from the slavery of sin and death through his death and resurrection—an incredible reality!
My Beloved Son
As Moses and Elijah depart from Jesus, Peter recognizes the significance of the moment and suggests putting up three tents. While he is still speaking, a bright cloud covers them all, and a voice from the cloud says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased. Listen to him!” This moment harkens back to the Old Testament, where God often spoke to people like Moses and Elijah from a cloud, indicating his divine presence. It also recalls Jesus’ baptism, where a voice from the heavens says, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
The divine voice reaffirms Jesus’ identity as God’s Son and endorses the truth of his teachings. Jesus is not just another prophet; He speaks with the authority of God himself. This divine command echoes throughout the ages, reminding Christians to heed Christ’s words and imitate his life of love, compassion, and self-sacrifice.
Excerpted from "The Liturgical Home: The Feast of the Transfiguration." Ashley Tumlin Wallace is author of The Liturgical Home book series.
Moldova Outreach
Holy Cross at the Tryon Global Food Fest
Holy Cross and the Moldova World Children's Fund will have a booth at the third annual Tryon Global Food Fest this Saturday, August 8 from Noon to 2 p.m.Stop by for a bowl of borscht and learn more about our September trip to Moldova! Fr. Ian Williams - who is flying to Moldova in September - will be onsite to chat about our outreach efforts partnering with the Moldova World Children's Fund.
Collection Day - Sunday, August 23
We are having another collection day for donations to our seaborne container headed to Moldova! Bring your donations on Sunday, August 23 for collection during coffee hour after the 10:30 a.m. service.
OR
Click the button below for an Amazon Wish List of items. Have the items sent to:
Holy Cross Episcopal Church
150 Melrose Ave.
Tryon, NC 28782
In addition to the wish list items, we are still collecting:
It’s time to start signing up for the coming year of Foyer Groups! Foyer Groups meet the third Sunday of each month from September to May in homes or restaurants for food, fellowship and fun. You must sign up again even if you joined last time around. If you are new to Foyer Groups, this is the time to jump in! Once you sign up, you will be assigned a Foyer Group with a group coordinator for September. This is a great way to meet new people and connect with fellow Holy Cross members in a small group setting.
The 2nd Friday Book Club is on summer vacation. Reading and fellowship will resume in September. Stop by the church office and pick up your book club bookmark! Click the button to see the upcoming selections and dates.
Music Matters
Anyone age 16 and up is invited to join to be a part of this choir simply show up in the chancel area at 9:30 on any given Sunday to learn a simple anthem before the 10:30 service. The choir doesn't vest nor does it process. No regular commitment is required; just a desire to make a joyful noise! Summer choir lasts through August.
Our last summer jam is Wednesday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Bring your instruments and your voices, or just come as a spectator. Bring your favorite tunes and bring snacks or drinks if you wish.
Decades Gift Update
Excited to report the granite is being installed today on the kitchen counters - which means appliances are just around the corner. The main bathroom shower has been tiled, floor is being installed today. Vanities are ready to be placed and glass shower walls ordered. The rooms are being prepped for painting.
We are nearing the end of the process where everything starts coming to closure and the house is filled with electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and installers at the same time. The new patio outside has been repaired (no longer a tripping hazard) - slopes away from house with new central drain.
Again, thank you all for your support of this renovation!
