The Preacher's Lectionary Notebook - A Litany for Transfiguration Sunday on Psalm 2

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany: Transfiguration Sunday (Year A)

Leader: Why do the nations rage, and the peoples imagine empty things?
People: The rulers of the earth gather and conspire, but their plots cannot dim God’s glory.

Leader: They say, “Let us break the bonds of the Holy One, let us cast off heaven’s claim.”
People: Yet the One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord holds every power to account.

Leader: God speaks—not in chaos, but in clarity, not in fear, but in holy fire.
People: “I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”

Leader: On the mountain of transfiguration, the veil is lifted and the truth made plain.
People: The glory hidden in humility now shines like the sun.

Leader: The decree is declared from heaven:
People: “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”

Leader: This is the Beloved—not crowned by empire, not armed with violence, but robed in light.
People: This is the Son whom we are commanded to hear.

Leader: Ask of me, says the Lord, and I will give you the nations.
People: Not as spoils of conquest, but as fields for mercy and truth.

Leader: The powers of this age will pass, their threats will crumble like dust.
People: But the reign of Christ endures—from the mountain to the valley, from glory to the cross, from death to resurrection.

Leader: Therefore, O rulers, be wise; be warned, O leaders of the earth.
People: Serve the Lord with reverent awe, and rejoice with trembling hope.

Leader: Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
People: We bow before the transfigured Christ, the Son revealed, the King enthroned, the Light who leads us down the mountain and into the world.

All: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.