Transfigured

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. Luke 9:28-36

There are moments in life when the light changes, however subtly, and what was before takes on new meaning and new shape. We are in New York visiting our eldest and enjoying our time. The day we arrived had been hot and muggy and the oppressiveness seemed everywhere. Trying to keep drinking enough to be well hydrated was a challenge, as was finding a shady spot out of the brutal damp glare. In an instant, in the wee hours of the morning the weather changed, without a storm, without violence. And we could see the world in a new way. How often it happens that we think we know how things are, and that nothing is ever going to change? And then when all delight and hope seems to have faded, the world turns, the light changes, and warmth and love are revealed in familiar and overlooked places? We see a glimpse of God's glory and the love we have been showered with in life and in creation. Our desire is for the moment to last forever, to make it in stone.

The disciples wanted to make that turning point in their lives permanent. They wanted a structure to return to and an altar to reverence. But God has a different way ahead for them and for us. We are to take the moment, the glimpse of love and glory and use it during the journey. We are to take the transfigured moments, the revealed love, the breath stopping beauty that we have been given in the moment and share it on our way. They told this story over and over to reminds themselves and those who follow, that we are never alone, and that Gos strength is with us even in the roughest struggles.

Today, I want to take these moments and hold them in my heart. I ask God to keep me from making sentiment from these rather than empowering service. May we all reflect on the moments of God's love revealed and make them food for the world, sharing what we have had for the strength and renewal of others.