Before your crucifixion, O Lord,

the mountain became as heaven,

and a cloud spread itself out to form a tent.

When you were transfigured,

and the Father testified of you,

Peter with James and John were with you,

who were to be present with you also

at the time of your betrayal:

that, having beheld your glory,

they should not be afraid before your sufferings.

Grant in your great mercy

that we, too, may be counted worthy

to venerate these your sufferings in peace.

 

          Byzantine Vespers

 

 

 

We of the Taizé community look upon the transfiguration above all as the celebration of the presence of Christ which takes charge of everything in us and transfigures even that which disturbs us about ourselves.  God penetrates those hardened, incredulous, even disquieting regions within us, about which we really do not know what to do.  God penetrates them with the life of the Spirit and acts upon those regions and gives them God’s own face.

 

Kathryn Spink

 

 

 

O God, deliver us from words and deeds that provoke discord, prejudice and hatred.
     sung response

 

O God, deliver us from suspicions and fears that stand in the way of reconciliation.
     sung response

 

O God, deliver us from believing and speaking lies about other peoples or nations.
     sung response

 

O God, deliver us from cruel indifference to the cries of the hungry and homeless.
     sung response

 

O God, deliver us from all that prevents us from fulfilling your promise of peace.
     sung response

 

Deliver us from our brokenness, we pray, O God, and by your grace

and healing presence deliver us to You.

     sung response

 

O Creating God, deliver us to still waters and green pastures.
     sung response

 

O Risen Christ, deliver us to the freedom and forgiveness we find in you.
     sung response

 

O Jesus, deliver us to the tough task of loving our enemies.
     sung response

 

O Servant of All, deliver us to joyful service in your name.
     sung response

 

O Holy Spirit, deliver us now and in the days to come, to the promise of a new heaven and a new earth.  Deliver us to the wholeness of justice and to the power of your peace.
     sung response

 

Closing Prayer

 

Charge our lives and our churches with the power of
your peace, O God. Overcome our fears and self-deceptions with the
promise of your presence. Make us signs of your generosity and justice.
Light us each day with hope, we pray, so that we may walk in your
truth and be love in your Name. 

 

                  sung response