Transfiguration

August 24th, 2017 Posted in writing

I own an icon (a print, not an original icon) of the scene called the Transfiguration. It depicts the story of Jesus taking Peter, James and John up a mountain, where he changed from being the Jesus they were familiar with to a Jesus who shone with the over-powering beauty and power of God. And Moses the great lawgiver and Elijah the great prophet of Israel appeared conversing with him, revealing that Jesus was surpassing them both. At last came the Voice of God the Father: “This is my Son—listen to him!”

The message is meant for us, too. “This is my Son,” we can interpret to mean, “This Jesus is not simply someone who can talk about me. He actually shows you all that you need to know about me, how I feel about you and what I want for you. You see him and you see me, you pay attention to him and you are paying attention to me, you welcome him and you are welcoming me.”

And God says loud and clear, “Listen to him!” We might take this for ourselves to mean, “Don’t listen to voices that are full of hate and violence—listen to Jesus! Don’t give credence to those who offer only words of discouragement or self-doubt—listen to Jesus! Don’t be persuaded by those who tell you that love and forgiveness are merely signs of weakness—instead, listen to Jesus!

The Transfiguration is a truly rich event that encourages us to seek what lies deep down in Jesus. And at the same time, it reveals to us who we are and how we should live.

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