Transfigured

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, 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 white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Matthew 17:1-13

Sometimes there are many weeks when I do not remember my dreams. There are other times, when they come night after night, unbidden, showing me a familiar world changed and transfigured. This time of year, when we have moved back to standard time, and the day light is decreasing rapidly, is a time of dreams and notions. Some are frightening, but most are new adventures in an old world changed but still alive within my imagination. Often the dream images give me a new perspective on my life and new possibilities to hold before me.

Jesus takes the three disciples up the mountain. They often went to pray with him in small groups, often falling asleep as he knelt in prayer. This time, they witness a vision, a waking dream, of the beauty and reality of Christ, and his intimacy with God and the pillars of the faith. They witness a vision that will lead them to the cross, and that vision will be their beacon to find their way through the violence and fear that is to come. They had a revelation of the timelessness and constancy of God and of God's commitment to creation. This moment on the mountain, both vision and portent, will change their understanding of their teacher and their God. God with them moving within creation, promising them more than they can imagine.

Today I ask God to help me hold fast to the vision of God's love active in my life. May we not fear what is ahead but rather cling to the promises we have been given. May we work in the light of God's love, not fearing what is to come, but rather trusting in the visions we have been given. May we hold fast to love and let fear go today.