Transfigured

 

                                                                Transfiguration  -- Kelly Latimore

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him...

              Matthew 17 NRSVue 

I've observed before that during decades of pastoral ministry I never quite knew what to do with the gospel accounts of the transfiguration of Jesus. I suppose that puts me in good company given that Peter and John, the disciples Jesus chose to accompany him to the mountaintop were dazed and confused by the mystical encounter. 

When we were in Israel earlier this year we went to the summit of Mount Tabor where there is a church commemorating this story. It was an okay experience, certainly diminished by the fussy priest who scolded Ruth for her bare shoulders -- scandalous. It was a modern parallel to the disciples deciding that the wonder of the moment was an invitation to build structures instead of leaning into the extra-ordinary experience. 

Just before we made that visit we went on a demanding and wonderful hike in nearby Tavor Nature Reserve which was far more meaningful. 

Then a few days later we travelled to the north of Galilee and the Hula Wildlife Management Area where we had a clear view of Mount Hermon which many scholars figure was the actual location of Jesus mountaineering with Moses and Elijah. It had a sparkling white cap of snow, a reminder that "winter" in Israel actually brings snow to the peaks in the north. Honestly, human-made dwellings often pale alongside the glory of Creation. 

In the Protestant tradition Transfiguration Sunday is the last before Lent begins, so ours was back in February. It was this past Sunday for Roman Catholics and Kelly Latimore posted this marvellous creation which for me captures the magnificence and confusion and tumult of that numinous experience. I usually included visual images as I preached and this would have been perfect, a sermon in itself. 

I hope that this is a transforming, transfiguring day for all of us. 

 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 

                         Matthew 17 NRSVue