Listen to Him

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

The story of the transfiguration is both mysterious and simple. The disciples go up the mountain with Jesus to pray, far away from the crowds of hurting and needy people. A few minutes away to recharge. In that moment it became so much more. A mystical, spiritual, transforming moment that the three disciples would refer to often after the resurrection. They witness the present mixing with the divine eternal and they were helpless to know what to do. The voice of God told them what to do, and tells us as well. Listen to him. Not second guess or make up our own interpretation but listen. We too will know the road and the work ahead if we listen to Jesus who said love over and over again. Yourself, your neighbor and the people around you.

Gracious Creator, you paint us pictures

in the world diverse greening and growing

in the night sky filled with the moon and stars

and in the sweet faces of our sleeping children.

We often don't know what to do in these times

and squirm and curse the present circumstances

we want to condemn, abandon and retaliate

yet your still call us to love as you have loved.

Help us to listen to you today and always

making love our calling and our daily labor

let your joy daily fill us to overflowing

and let us love the world as you have taught us.  Amen.