Up on the Mountain

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 


Up On The Mountain

Looking back we were weighed down with sleep
as if in a dream we saw the brilliant truth
the changes that have now become our world
our place is two feet on the ground here
his among the planets and the heavens.

We tried to make a permanent dwelling
a place where love could stay forever
but we were overcome by the shadows
we tried to hold on to moving creation
we can never bind love but  must set it free.

I was silent after that mountain moment
there was no place for me to hold the image
my heart was stirred beyond understanding
my eyes were dazzled and I was afraid
I was sure I would never understand.

Now I am aging and riveted to the ground
understanding that love is to be shared to thrive
spreading good news is all that I can do
we can only contain God's love for an instant
than we must let it go and pass it on.