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“His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.” (v. 2)
Can you imagine a human face so afire in glory?
Do you know someone whose presence emanates light, the light of stillness, peace, and kindness?
We hear this story of Jesus’s transfiguration on a high mountain every year.
We began the first Sunday after Epiphany with the heavenly affirmation of Jesus as the beloved Son of God at his baptism. We finish the season with the same voice from heaven, revealing who Jesus is in his glory, like a bookend.
It is also a threshold moment before we enter into another forty-day journey of Lent. Transfiguration Sunday bridges and foreshadows what follows with this magnificent revelation. When Peter, James, and John heard the heavenly voice, they were terrified and fell on the ground. Impulsive Peter became overexcited and suggested building tents, the memorials to sanctify this moment and place. Yet, Jesus told them not to tell a thing about this remarkable phenomenon until he was raised from the dead.
The glory revealed in Jesus' transfiguration was not the kind of spotlight glory that celebrities or the rich and powerful receive. It wasn't the kind of light that could dazzle with sparkling jewels and luxury goods. The holiness manifested in him was glory that would lead him into suffering, the glory that would make him empty himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, for the sake of love and mercy.
Have you ever seen a face that radiates?
Who were they? Do their stories tell you about something?
In these days of overwhelmingly depressing and infuriating news, I've seen some faces that glowed like sunbeams last week - the athletes in the fair game of the Winter Olympics, the half-Argentinian child actor receiving a Grammy from a Puerto Rican singersongwritter at the Super Bowl half time show, the group of Buddhist monks and a rescue dog who completed their 15 weeks peace walk pilgrimage from Texas to Washington DC …
Come join us this Sunday as we reflect on the narrative of Jesus’ transfiguration at the doorway to another holy season. You are invited to the in person worship at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning. You can watch the live-streamed service at home as well via the church website or Youtube channel.
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