2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, Luke 9:28-36, (37-43)On the last Sunday of the Epiphany season, we have the story of Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus has gone up on a mountain with a few of his disciples. While there, his appearance suddenly changes. His faces changes and his clothes become dazzling white. For us, living in the 21st century, these are not what we might think of as extraordinary images. We have seen all kinds of special effects in movies and television—the more spectacular, the better. A shining face and dazzling clothes? That is pretty ho-hum stuff for us. What happens if we shift from our position as modern-day onlookers and enter into the story? Put ourselves in the place of the disciples—in their time, in their setting. Jesus, a leader and teacher whom they know well, has changed in some dramatic way.. The writer of this account describes the change in terms of physical appearance: changed face and dazzling clothes. The response to this? Jesus’ followers are stunned. What is familiar has disappeared. They are plunged into uncertainty. They have to stretch their minds and their hearts to take in this new experience.
The transfiguration is a sudden, dramatic event, but it is part of the on-going story of Jesus’ ministry. The story of Jesus and his disciples. Time and again, we hear how Jesus stretches their understanding, leads them to new places. The story of those early followers is one of constantly being stretched. Embracing Jesus’ vision of a better, different world. Moving into the unknown. We have much in common with those early disciples. Like them, we listen to the teachings of Jesus and his challenges, his commands. Calls to move to new places of understanding. To respond to needs in the world. To reach out in acts of love and compassion farther than ever before. We know the story of those early followers of Jesus. They listened. They responded. They made a difference. It is up to us to carry on that story.
Peace,
Deacon Sue
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