worthy of all worship

Monday, Feb. 23, 2009

Deut. 6:10-15 Heb 1:1-14 John 1:1-18

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Yesterday, the last Sunday after Epiphany, was "Transfiguration" Sunday. Again we heard the Father's words about Jesus, "You are my Son, my beloved." This week as we move from the Transfiguration, to the ashes of present reality, to the forty days of testing and waiting and following - we are given Hebrews 1 and John 1.

Our Bible readings drive home the glory of the Son for us, and this year will carry us along through Lent.

Jesus became one of us, he became a human being, and he lived among us. John's testimony is "we have seen."

As I approach Lent, I am mindful and hopeful and prayerful, that increasingly Jesus - his goodness, his glory, his grace and truth - will be seen in me, this really is what it means to be a disciple. I am also mindful, hopeful and prayerful, that his goodness, glory, grace and truth can be and will be formed in me the more I see, receive, and celebrate him in his goodness, glory, grace and truth.

... Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;
Father, of majesty unbounded,
your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,
and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory,
the eternal Son of the Father.
When you became man to set us free
you did not shun the Virgin's womb,
You overcame the sting of death
and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
You are seated at God's right hand in glory.
We believe that you will come and be our judge,
Come then, Lord, and help your people,
bought with the price of your own blood,
and bring us with your saints
to glory everlasting.
(the second half of the Te Deum laudamus, BCP p. 91-92)