I’m going to be honest. This Sunday’s reading, the story of Christ transfiguring into his divine form, has always been a little too much like science-fiction for me. It would seem easy to dismiss until you realize like all great stories, the side characters is where we should put our attention. (Falstaff anyone?) Jesus revealing his divinity isn’t shocking to us. He’s the Son of God. We get it— He can do amazing things. If we look at the story from only that lens, as I did, it doesn’t seem relevant until we see the all too human and familiar response of Jesus’ friends, Peter, John and James.
Peter, John and James want to stay—they want to stay in the loving arms of their God. Wouldn’t we want to as well? “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents,” Peter says. So human! Isn’t that like us after an amazing experience? The reunion with family members long distances away, the loving embrace of the parent who has passed, the romantic dinner, the child’s trip to Disney World—we always want to stay just a little longer!
Jesus’ Transfiguration isn’t the focus. It is Peter, John and James’ transfiguration from everyday people into leaders of justice, peace and holiness. Their faith was realized. They saw the glory of God and, of course, their instinct was to stay, but as the Gospel informs us, “[they] did not know what he was saying.” They have the truth of God’s love. So do we. We know we are loved. We may not always feel it, but we are loved. What are we to do with that knowledge? Build our own tents? Stay? No, we must go out and share that love. Leave the mountaintop and serve one another.
In Christ’s Transfiguration he teaches us that, like his body, the bread and the wine are changed, the stranger becomes a friend, the enemy, an ally. The sinful world can become the Kingdom of God. Christ is telling us this Lent that though we are in the desert of shame, he is merciful and we are loved. Be transfigured! Let us act worthy of the love given us. Share your brokenness with the broken and tell them as you were told: I love you. So I’ll say, I love you. Have a great week.
I’ll be seeing you,
Elliot