On this Sunday as we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration, some of Emmanuel's youth share with us moments that helped define their faith.

The Scripture references are Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99:5-9, and 2 Peter 1:13-21. The Gospel reference is Luke 9:28-36.

In the Gospel known as "The Comfortable Words" in the Episcopal Church, Jesus calls to us "Come to me, all you that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." We see ourselves in these words, burdened by the worries and concerns of our day to day lives and the responsibilities we must bear. Jesus acknowledges our weariness, which the world in which we live too often does not. Life is often hard, and who knows this better than Jesus, who carried our burdens for us all the way to the cross? We are first and foremost children of God, and Jesus will bear our burdens alongside us, calling us to live in response to God our Creator.

The Scripture references are Zechariah 9:9-12, Psalm 145:8-15, and Romans 7:15-25a. The Gospel reference is Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30.

Jesus' radical hospitality is well known from the Gospels, accepting people just as they were and making them feel fully welcomed. Modeling His behavior can sometimes feel taxing, and we can feel conflicted between our ideal and our actions. But rather than doing nothing when we feel tired or discouraged, do that which we are capable of. Just as Jesus said that those who welcomed the disciples welcomed Him, and by doing so welcomed God, remember too that God is also a gracious guest. He accepts all of our kindnesses, great and small, and is welcomed even in the smallest acts.

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4,17-18, and Romans 6:12-23. The Gospel reference is Matthew 10:40-42.

The Gospel in the tenth chapter of Matthew is one of the hardest scriptures to hear from Jesus, that he has come to set people against their own families. How can we square this with His words elsewhere that we are to honor our parents, and to take care of our family members? Listen again to those words, but this time as a preparation for His disciples regarding the opposition they will face as they spread the Good News. Many of our earthly attachments, even those from family members, can keep us from finding our true selves in God. Jesus is willing to go all the way with us; how willing are we to go with Him?

The Scripture references are Jeremiah 20:7-13, Psalm 69:8,10-11,18-19, and Romans 6:1b-11. The Gospel is Matthew 10:24-39.

One of the most discussed, and often misunderstood, doctrines of the Christian faith is that of the Trinity. How can God be of three different forms, yet be the same? Even though the Triune nature of God is found in Genesis, in the Gospels, and in the New Testament, we still find it hard to wrap our minds around the concept. As Saint Augustine said, there is not a single meaning of the Trinity or a single way of describing it; they are symbols of a greater reality. So, let us focus less on defining God in our terms and more on experiencing Him in all His forms as Christ commands us, by doing His work.

The Scripture references are Genesis 1:1-2:4a, Canticle 13, and 2 Corinthians 13:11-13. The Gospel reference is Matthew 28:16-20.

The whole idea of Pentecost is that God, acting through the apostles, is uniting people through language. Too often, though, our words may not serve to unify. Changing how we talk is hard; what we say and how we say it is so much a part of who we consider ourselves to be that self-examination isn't always easy. As followers of Christ we must always ask: Does our language unite? Does it follow our Christian values? Does it help spread the love of God throughout the world? God has often worked through our words in the past, and will again.

The Scripture references are Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:25-28, 32, and 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13. The Gospel reference is John 7:37-39.

When the disciples asked Jesus prior to His ascension when He would restore the Kingdom to Israel, they didn't realize that He had already established the Kingdom in their hearts. God's Kingdom wasn't to be just for Israel, but for all people. When we pray for something, the answer to our prayer may well be not what we assumed it would be. God most often works through people to answer prayers, even working through us though we may not realize it. Every time we call out to Heaven, we should be listening for what Heaven may say back to us.

The Scripture references are Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 93, and Ephesians 1:15-23. The Gospel reference is Luke 24:44-53.

Just as riders in a bicycle race draw benefit from riding in a tight group known as a peloton, we as the body of Christ gain so much from being in community one with another. Sometimes we race far ahead with our gifts, sometimes we are safely in a group, and sometimes we let the race speed on ahead of us while we rest and reflect. But we are always traveling this course of life together, bound by our faith in our Lord.

Influential Source: "Community of a Peloton," by Scott Stoner from Weekly Words of Wellness at Livingcompass.org.

The Scripture references are Acts 17:22-31, Psalm 66:7,8,14-17, and 1 Peter 3:13-22. The Gospel reference is John 14:15-21.

In John's familiar gospel Jesus tells us that in His Father's house are many dwelling places, and that He goes to prepare a place for us. We should not think of it, though, as a place with all the things that make us comfortable in this life. God's house is made up of what is good, not merely of what feels good. The more we empty ourselves of self, to be more like Christ, the less earthly trappings appeal to us. A place prepared for us means that we matter to those who prepared it; a place prepared by the Son of Man means we matter to Him.

The Scripture references are Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5,15-16, and 1 Peter 2:2-10. The Gospel reference is John 14:1-14.

The Eucharist, as the central part of our worship, connects us with all Christians in the life abundant that has been promised to us by God. Professor Therese Dilisio of Bexley Seabury Seminary shares with us how the the meals and prayers shared by the first groups of Christ's followers became the communion liturgy we celebrate today.

The Scripture references are Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Peter 2:19-25. The Gospel reference is John 10:1-10.