The Gospel of Luke 9:28-43a
Jesus took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
Let us Pray: Oh God who transforms our hearts, open our eyes today that we may see the face of the hungry and open our ears that we may hear the cry of those displaced by war. As we look to you for justice and peace, let us not turn our gaze away from the humanity that you love. This we Pray in the Name of Jesus our Lord. Amen.
The Transfiguration reveals Jesus’ divine nature and reinforces His identity as God’s chosen Son. It serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus’ connection to God. This event also emphasizes the importance of listening to Jesus and following His teachings. We need to understand that God is with us through His son Jesus, in our everyday lives, Our God is not a remote God, who leaves us to struggle through the pains of our lives. Instead, God comes off the mountain and into the valley of our lives and gets his hands dirty to bring us healing and wholeness of life. The healing of the possessed boy highlights Jesus’ compassion and power. It also shows the necessity of faith in overcoming challenges and the limitations of human efforts without divine intervention. The reality is that we walk by faith, not by sight. Most of the time, we may not have a profound and physical awareness of God in our lives but instead we have to rely on what we know to be true in our head and heart and perhaps even cling on with our fingertips to faith. Our experience is simply this: our everyday lives, with all their joys and celebrations, pains and tears become transformed by a sense of presence and connection with God. Can we look at our lives and see the presence of the Divine? Can we face the demands of life and find within them the echoes of God? Can we endure all things, love all things and see the pattern of the footprints of God, leading us into a deeper experience of his grace? God takes the ordinary and the everyday things and transforms them by his presence. Preparation for the disciples as to what was to come didn’t come on the mountaintop and it won’t for us either. That experience was one to enjoy, celebrate, and treasure. The real work awaits below. They, and we as followers of Jesus Christ, are chosen as we are needed down in the valley. The valley of everyday life.
Let us Pray: Dear Lord, just as you revealed your divine glory on the mountain, reveal yourself to us. Transform our hearts and minds, that we may see your glory in our lives. Help us to be open to your presence and to be transformed by your love and grace. Grant us the faith to trust in your divine wisdom and the courage to follow where you lead, even when we do not fully understand. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 