Transfiguration

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

We are in Virginia so that we could attend the 75th anniversary of the founding of Indian View Baptist Church in King William, VA, It was so named because one of the matriarchs at the time said she looked around and everywhere she looked she could see Indians. At the time, 19 dollars was collected for the construction of the church. Today, there were more than a hundred people jammed into the little country church. All those years ago with lots of faith and very little money, they made an incredible witness to God's love and presence in the midst of their community.

Up on the mountain. the disciples witnessed an incredible view of the true relationship of their teacher to God. It was a view of intimacy and connectedness. This vision, this view, would hold them through incredible trials and tribulations that were to come. That view would give them hope and renewal in the days to come and for the generations of faithful that followed. We are invited by God to view the glimpses of God's loving presence among us as the possibilities and hope for the future.

Today I ask God to help me to hold on to the view I had today, of the faithful people gathered, standing on the faithfulness of their ancestors and their people. May we hold on and move forward so that those who follow us may be standing on holy ground and supported with strength and hope.