Transfiguration

About eight days after Jesus had foretold his death and resurrection, 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. Luke 9:28-36

In our conversations and readings, I have been struck over and over by the commonality among Native people concerning visions. Whether it is a Lakota vision quest, or a dream experience, visions are elemental to the spirit and lives of tribal people. They teach us our relationship to the Divine and often give us direction and understanding. They are often very personal and life changing. Even the most rational among us has respect for the visions of others, knowing them to be an intimate communication from God.

Jesus is beginning his final days on earth and takes a few dear friends with him up the mountain to pray. He prayed while his friends kept him company. What began as a time to steel himself for the journey ahead became of gift of vision for his disciples. They had a glimpse of the intimate relationship between Jesus and the ancestors, a holy vision of God's living presence among them. They were frightened, awkward and changed forever. God invites us to daily seek new understandings of our relationship to God, to hold fast to the visions we have of God's love for us and the Creator's nearness to us.

Today I ask God for insight and patience, sight and wisdom for the day. May we enter all that we do today with an open mind and an expectation that God will be revealed in our midst and we will have strength for the journey ahead.