Glitch Transfiguration

 

                                           Glitch Transfiguration -- Kelly Latimore 

Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Glory 

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

                  2 Peter 1: 16-18 NRSVue

In the Common Lectionary the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus is celebrated on the last Sunday before Lent, so it moves around the liturgical calendar. It is wild and wonderful story found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke and alluded to in the epistle called 2 Peter.  When we were in Israel two years ago we went to the Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor and travelled north to get a glimpse of Mount Hermon, the other possible site for this theophanic encounter involving Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, all mountain-top guys. Some of the disciples are there, mystifed by what is unfolding before them. 

In some traditions August 6 (yesterday) is the annual Feast of the Transfiguration so artist Kelly Latimore posted his providential accident of an image, both a mistake and the perfect depiction of the unexplainable mystery of the Transfiguration. Can you make out the figures? I love it! Here is his powerful description: 

Kelly Latimore Icons

@KLICONS

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Happy Feast Day of the Transfiguration! “Glitch Transfiguration” Like Peter in Matthew 17, we are often tempted to try and create our own transfigurations. Create our booths. Although we often mean well using grand displays of music, liturgy, and art to bring “The divine down to earth.” the thing is, what we are trying to contain is always right in front of us. It is divine that Jesus doubled down being human-wounds and all. Peter fails to see that Jesus cannot be confined to one location. He can’t tie down and domesticate the wild spirit of God’s Kingdom. We are being called to follow Jesus to Jerusalem, into the unknown. The light we think we hold has already been reflecting and scattering in all directions... This gives me hope. This Glitched Version of the Transfiguration happened on accident while I was showing my nephew how I edit images and we loved it. Late last year I painted an original icon inspired by our happy accident called “Glitch Transfiguration (Remix)”

Church of the Transfiguration -- Mount Tabor, Israel