Here’s a beautiful opening to a communion prayer, based on the texts for Transfiguration Sunday (February 19, 2012). It was written by Nathan Nettleton.
Eucharistic Preface
(Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-9, Luke 9:28-36)
Let us lift up our hearts.
....We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
....It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God,
for your transfiguring light has overcome us
and is restoring within us the image of your glory.
When you created the universe you said,
“Let light shine out of darkness,”
and the heavens lit up in testimony to your justice.
Through the law and prophets your light has shone forth,
and your Word has never fallen silent.
On a high mountain you pulled back the veil of heaven
and, as Moses and Elijah passed on their mantles
to the one in whom your saving Word is fulfilled,
you allowed the incomparable glory of your Son
to be seen by his terrified disciples.
He was killed by those who would not listen to you,
but after you raised him from the dead,
you sent the winds of heaven upon us
with an extravagant outpouring of your Holy Spirit.
Therefore with .....
© 2003 Nathan Nettleton http://www.laughingbird.net/
Let us lift up our hearts.
....We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
....It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God,
for your transfiguring light has overcome us
and is restoring within us the image of your glory.
When you created the universe you said,
“Let light shine out of darkness,”
and the heavens lit up in testimony to your justice.
Through the law and prophets your light has shone forth,
and your Word has never fallen silent.
On a high mountain you pulled back the veil of heaven
and, as Moses and Elijah passed on their mantles
to the one in whom your saving Word is fulfilled,
you allowed the incomparable glory of your Son
to be seen by his terrified disciples.
He was killed by those who would not listen to you,
but after you raised him from the dead,
you sent the winds of heaven upon us
with an extravagant outpouring of your Holy Spirit.
Therefore with .....
© 2003 Nathan Nettleton http://www.laughingbird.net/
