Tag: transfiguration

Pondering for Sunday, February 15, 2026

Eucharistic Gospel Reading for the Last Sunday After the Epiphany: Year A

Matthew 17:1-9

“As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” (Matthew 17:9)

Peter, James and John are picked to go up the mountain with our Lord Jesus. These three were called out from the others to go to spend a special time with Jesus.

I’m guessing they were informed by the Holy Spirit about who Moses and Elijah were, given that that both were historic figures and there were no “photographs” of them.  This was a revelation given to them by the Cloud of all knowing.

And after the experience of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus, the revelation Cloud of all knowing using the voice of God, being told to not tell anyone, was asking a lot. But in hindsight, we can see why these stories were actually written much later and in a different language (Greek).

Being told not to talk about something gives one time to process what happened. Today we say that the introvert processes quietly while the extrovert processes by “talking it out.”  This might be the reason for taking these three, but then there is Peter. Peter can’t hold back even in the midst of the Transfiguration.  Peter said, “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.” (Matthew 17:4) 

So Jesus took with him both the extrovert and the introverts. Jesus takes with him both you and me.  We are invited to see God Incarnate who is the fulfillment of the Law (Moses), and the Prophets (Elijah).  Moses didn’t want to go back to Egypt but was sent anyway.  Elijah was all in, even taunting the prophets of Baal, “At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”  (1 Kings 18:27)  Elijah mocked the prophets.

God calls any of us to do the Lord’s work.  Be attentive therefore, Our Lord will call you also to have that mountain top experience.  Dr Martin Luther King Jr. says that he experienced it in his kitchen after a hateful phone call.  This mountain top experience can happen anywhere. When it happens, it is life changing. The place where it happens has nothing to do with the time God chooses. God is everywhere, all the time.  Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907 to 1972 was internationally known as a scholar, activist, and theologian. He was Professor of Ethics and Mysticism that the Jewish Theological Seminary of America), says in his book, The Sabbath, that it is not the event that makes time significant, but rather, the time that makes an event significant, it is the time that an event happens that makes the place significant.  Jesus could have taken these followers out on a boat ride, or in a cave or a barn.  He just needed time to be alone with them.

Jesus can be transformed in your presence today; anywhere, and any time of God’s choosing. And may still ask you not to tell anyone about what you have experienced; just live out what has been revealed to you in word and deed.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: Last Sunday after the Epiphany (BCP p. 217. This Proper is always used on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday)

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pondering for Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Eucharistic Readings for the Transfiguration August 6

Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Peter 1:13-21; Luke 9:28-36

“Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35)

This Gospel reading tells us that Jesus takes with him Peter, James and John up a mountain and is Transfigured before them.  They got to see the reality of who Jesus is.  They got to see Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophets, stand before Jesus, God Incarnate.

Peter is so moved by this experience that he speaks out of his hysteria about making booths to represent the three of them, Moses, Elijah and Jesus.  The Presence of God touched all of their senses.  The cloud overshadowed them causing them to breathe in God as well as touch their skin.  The vision of what was taking place pierced their eyes making an indelible mark on their minds. And finally, the very voice of God spoke, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

Peter never forgot this event. Even though he would claim not to know Jesus at the arrest of Jesus, but the knowledge of who Jesus is was never forgotten.  Later, in his second letter, Peter would write, “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)

The Gospels of Matthew (Mt. 3:17) and Mark (Mk. 1:11) also carry the words “You are my Son in whom I am well pleased,” but the words seem to be directed at Jesus only.  In any case, we have the additional words today of “Listen to him.”  This “listen to him” is understood to be “obey” him in the Hebrew context and I might add, ours as well.

This validation of who Jesus is has been handed down to you and me. This Gospel always comes up on the last Sunday of Epiphany as a segue into Lent regardless of the Year (Matthew 17:1 -19; Mk. 9:2 – 9; and Lk. 9: 28 – 36).  For many years I preached the “Pilot Light” sermon leading into Lent wherein I told of the cleaning of an old gas stove used in my mother’s restaurant in the 1950’s.  In this restaurant we catered mostly to college students from Fisk and Tennessee State, (A&I) then. There was always a Summer slowdown when school was out.  This was a time for cleaning the old stove.

The stove had to be disassembled to make a thorough cleaning.  I was young then but I was shown the “Pilot Light.”  I was amazed that from this little flicker of light that resembled a small candle burning in a cave, made possible the cooking of all the foods for the whole year for students who came from two universities. It was during the cleansing and the de-greasing of that stove that the light was carried to start other flames in order that they might do their work.  How appropriate for coming to Lent. Also, how appropriate to see who Jesus really is, the Light revealed.  I like singing, “This Little Light of Mine,” when I use this sermon.  Let us then listen to him and obey him. Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.

As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John

Let us pray: (BCP p. 243) The Transfiguration August 6

O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.