Overshadowed by a Cloud

Now about eight days after these sayings 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 

There are moments in our lives when objects that have been hidden are revealed and when the struggles of life seem to finally let go. The past few weeks have been like that for me. I often forget to slow down and notice the changes, to listen to the still small voice of the Divine in my life. I want to get on with things. But there are times when we are simply invited to the mountain top, to absorb the presence and love of God. Sometimes there is nothing more to say than thank you. Sometimes there is nothing else to do but live a life of gratitude.

Jesus takes three of the disciples with him up the mountain. The three disciples were not the most religious, nor the most scholarly. They were rough and tumble fishermen and simply his friends. They witnessed a moment of transfiguration, a moment of revelation. The true nature of Jesus was revealed, as was his relationship to the Divine and all the Ancestors. A scholar might have been tempted to write a book about it and a religious leader might set out on a lecture circuit. These three were overwhelmed by love and gratitude. They held on to the image and the moment. This moment would give them strength for all that they had to face in the coming days.

Today I am grateful to God for clear moments of revelation and insight. May we hold tight to the gifts and insights we have been given, knowing that God will use us in the coming days to strengthen others. May we life with gratitude, knowing God's love and presence have drawn near to us today.