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Transfiguration of Our Lord • Year A
February 15, 2026
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Historical Collect
O God, at the glorious transfiguration of your only Son, you confirmed the mystery of our faith by the witness of the disciples and by your own voice from the cloud. Mercifully complete our adoption as your children, and give us, with our King, an inheritance of his glory. Grant this, we pray, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Roman Prayer, 15th century)
Thematic Collect
God of majesty, through Jesus’ transfiguration you reveal him as your beloved Son. Keep us faithful in the promise that through the cross and the empty tomb we are joint heirs with Christ and will one day enjoy the fullness of your glory for eternity; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
The Common Thread
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man” (Rev 21:3). That is the point of our readings today. God would dwell in us and have us abide in him. Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4). So we must face his glory, even as Moses dared to do, rejoicing with trembling. Having the Light of God, we must cling to him by faith, paying attention to that Lamp shining in the dark spaces of our hearts. This is the very Word of God, his own beloved Son. Pay attention to him.
First Reading • Exodus 24:8–18
When the elders of the people were purified by the blood of the covenant, they were shown the glory of God. Now, the glory of the Lord is depicted here as a devouring fire in the midst of a cloud on the mountain. This is where Moses dared to be with God. He entered the cloud where a devouring fire awaited him. The sanctifying blood of the covenant of God’s word enabled Moses to live through this 40-day event. Still, imagine the courage it took for Moses to fulfill his desire to see the glory of God who is a devouring fire (Exo. 33:18).
Psalm • Psalm 2:6–12
“Rejoice with trembling” (v. 11b). This is how Moses must have felt as he beheld the glory of God on the mountain. Later, in another kind of existence, he would behold the King of Glory on the mountain (Matt. 17:3). Here is the refuge we must all seek. We should desire residence in the glory of God, fearful though it may be. This trembling reverence is cause for great rejoicing.
Second Reading • 2 Peter 1:16–21
“We were with him on the holy mountain” (v. 19). Peter tells us what he saw. Yet, it is the word that tells more and confirms what he, James, and John saw on the mount. The glory of God is not simply something one might be blessed to see or experience. It is to be believed because of the confirmation of God’s word. Only through the word, not from experience, will the light of the morning star arise in one’s heart.
Gospel • Matthew 17:1–9
Where to dwell? Peter was conflicted. The great patriarch and prophet stood with Jesus on the mount. In which should Peter take refuge? Whose word should be considered? The answer for Peter was to build three tents, one for each who stood before him, so that he might take sanctuary with each. God’s answer was starkly different. As the cloud of God’s glory overshadowed the three disciples, Moses and Elijah disappeared, leaving only the beloved Son standing before the three. The word of Lord to them that day echoes down the millennia to us: Listen to Jesus.
Moments with Martin Luther: Download this print-ready PDF devotion about Luther's concern for a poor fisherman.
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