New Testament | 2 Peter 1:13-21 (with Tom Gastil)

Opening Song:
Your Spirit by Jonas Myrin, Kim Walker-Smith, Matt Redman, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Lyrics:
Not by might not by power
By Your Spirit God send Your Spirit God

You are the fire we are the temple
You are the voice we are Your song
You are our God we are Your people
You are the light we stand in awe

We stand in awe of You
We stand in awe of You

You called us out out of the darkness
Into Your love into Your light
Grace upon grace beauty for ashes
You come to us we come alive

Breathe come and breathe on us
Spirit breathe Spirit breathe on us

Passage:
13 I think it is right, as long as I am in this bodily tent, to wake you up with a reminder, 14 since I know that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has indeed made clear to me. 15 And I will also make every effort so that you are able to recall these things at any time after my departure.

16 For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased!” 18 We ourselves heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
(2 Peter 1:13-21 CSB17)

Musical Reflection:
O Lord, Hear My Prayer by Jacques Berthier

Reflection Notes:
This song from the Taizé community contains a series of pleas: “O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord, hear my prayer; when I call, answer me.” The repeated notes emphasize the insistence of the sung prayer, while the descending lines indicate a deep, almost despairing desire to connect.

Prayer:
O God, by your mercy strengthen us who lie exposed to the rough storms of troubles and temptations. Help us against our own negligence and cowardice, and defend us from the treachery of our unfaithful hearts. Succor us, we beseech you, and bring us to your safe haven of peace and felicity.
-Augustine