1st Scripture Reading – 2 Kings 2:1-12
Elijah Ascends to Heaven
1 Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha
were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far
as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So
they went down to Bethel. 3 The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha
and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take your master away from you?” And
he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”
4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the
Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5 The company
of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today
the Lord will take your master away from you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent.”
6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the
Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men
of the company of prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both
were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up and struck the water;
the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and the two of them crossed on dry
ground.
9When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I may do for you before I am taken
from you.” Elisha said, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit.”
10He responded,
“You have asked a hard thing, yet if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted
you; if not, it will not.”
11As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of
fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. 12 Elisha kept
watching and crying out, “Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” But when he
could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
2nd Scripture Reading – Mark 9:2-9
The Transfiguration
2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain
apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling
bright, such as no one on earth could brighten them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with
Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be
here; let us set up three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
6He did not know
what to say, for they were terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud
there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8 Suddenly when they looked
around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
The Coming of Elijah
9As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had
seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.