Tempted – Transfigured A Journey into the Mercy of God Icon of transfiguration (Spaso- Preobrazhensky Monastery, Yaroslavl)Public Domain Week 2

Reader We gather in the name of the Father AllFrom whose glory and grace all good things come. ReaderWe gather in the name of the Son AllWho was revealed to his disciples as the fullness of grace and truth. Opening Responses

ReaderWe gather in the name of the Holy Spirit AllWho kindles constantly the flame of love planted in our hearts giving us grace and confidence to share the grace and life we have received with others.

ReaderWe gather… All (making the Sign of the Cross) In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

 When have you felt as if life was like trudging up a rough and steep mountainside?  When have you had a “mountaintop” experience— when, suddenly, life was wonderful and you saw things clearly and brilliantly?  And when have you come down to earth– with or without a bump?

 When did your community/ group have an “uphill struggle”?  When did it experience a time of excitement and things were good?  When has it had a time when “it was all downhill”?

 No to an economy of exclusion  No to the new idolatry of money  No to a financial system which rules rather than serves  No to the inequality which spawns violence

 What makes us feel like “lowering our arms” - or giving up in the face of difficulties? And are there any particular difficulties tempting us to do this at the moment?  What does it mean to be someone “transfigured by God’s presence”? And what would a transfigured community look like? What gets in the way?

 What tempts us away from the grace God offers to us—and to the Church to transform the world? How do we block it?

 When I talk about my faith, do I show that my life has been transfigured by knowing Christ?  Even when I have just cause to be dejected or anxious, how might I tap into the deeper joy that Jesus offers me—and how might I share this with others in a similar situation?

Closing Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, You led your disciples up a steep mountainside— encouraging them beyond their weariness to follow you so that they could spend a few moments contemplating you in glory… and you returned with them to the ordinary and everyday. Be with us in our journeying through difficult places – give us glimpses of your heart on fire with love for the whole world - and keep our hearts open to share all the abundant graces we have received with people hungry for love and mercy. We ask this in your name. AllAmen.

Tempted – Transfigured A Journey into the Mercy of God Icon of transfiguration (Spaso- Preobrazhensky Monastery, Yaroslavl)Public Domain Week 2