Things Change

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. Mark 9:2-8


We were expecting to leave for home out of Newark tomorrow morning. When we arrived back in New York we found out things had changed. A big snow storm is coming and flights are being cancelled as well as some road closures expected. We will now have to hunker down for a few more days and wait the storm out until we can fly again. In life, circumstances change in a blink of an eye. We gain a radically new perspective because of where we are. We find out what is most important when we are faced with radical and unforeseen change. God breaks into our firm plans and rigid way of thinking and surprises us with new vision.

The disciples think they are following Jesus to a remote place to pray. This is something they do on a regular basis with him. A small group, in this case, Peter, James and John accompany him. They are accustomed to this, they aren't expecting anything different. Instead they have a glimpse of their rabbi in his full glory, radiant and shining, surrounded by the fathers of the faith. Jesus changes for a moment but this vision changes them forever. God offers them a new vision, and they move forward on the road with a radically new perspective that they could never have planned for or made happen. God offers all of us, from time to time, new visions of the love that surrounds us. God offers us, often in our weakest moments, new insights and strength for the road ahead.

Today, I ask God for patience when thing change unexpectedly, and the courage to seek new vision in the process. May we be people who do not fear the storms and the sudden changes but rather know these times to be an invitation from God. May we wait out the storms and the dark times in isolated places knowing that God is moving in spectacular ways to fortify us for the journey ahead.