Six days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." Matthew 17:1-9
Here at St. Peter's we held a Together Sunday today. The Sunday School children joined us for the whole service, and the music was familiar and easy to sing. I struggled with how to talk to small children about the Transfiguration. It is not a simple story to preach. I finally found some glow in the dark butterflies and hid them all over the church with various people. At the sermon time we talk about how someone can seem one way and their real beauty can surprise us. Much like a butterfly. The children then ran around the church to find the hidden butterflies revealed.
Jesus went up the mountain to pray and was transfigured before his disciples. They saw his true nature, in all his radiance and beauty. This moment helped them to make it through the days to come. They saw him among the luminaries of the faith and understood his intimate relationship with God. But if we only take that vision away, we can miss part of the story. The part that tells us that we are all intimately connected to God, beloved children who are looked on with eyes of wonder and love. Sometimes we might think our beauty and love is hidden but if we truly seek it God will reveal it to us.
Today I ask God to help me see the beauty within me and around me. May we take the time to seek God today and ask for theat insight, that vision that we can hang onto, which will take us through the days ahead.
The Collect
O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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