Sunday, March 3, 2019

Overshadowed by a Cloud


                          The Last Sunday After Epiphany March 3, 2019


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

Overshadowed

Even in our mountain top moments
we can be overwhelmed and confused
wondering what I can do with this
overload of insight and possibilities.

We know the valleys so much better
the crags and rocks, the quick turns
we have mastered the crowded highway
terrorized by this spectacular vision.

This insight is wrapped in responsibility
a burden we did not ask to shoulder
yet chosen to hear and to be witnesses
lives changed in the blink of an eye.

We did not want to be woken from drowsing
safe in the gentle waiting for the teacher
the familiar gave way to the phenomenal
terror and joy permanently swirled together.

God give us strength to descend from here
to live in the broken fissures of daily life
to walk with those brittle companions
who need this moment to carry on.


Collect
O God, who before the passion of your only ­begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy
 mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
 strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through 
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
 and ever. Amen.




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