When I was 22 years old, I interviewed for a position in a CPE hospital chaplain training program at a large hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. In order to appear older and more mature than I was, I wore a suit, made sure to be extra polite, and spoke more formally than I normally would. I hoped my not very good attempt at a mustache would help as well. About a month into the program, my supervisor said, “Do you remember that interview? I like you now a lot more than I did that day. I feel like I now can see the real you.” Though his words were hard to hear, they provided an important life lesson about a tendency I and many others have of hiding behind roles and showing people what we think they want to see rather than ourselves. Somehow we are afraid that if they saw the real us they wouldn’t like us as much. In reality, if we had the courage to show them the real us, they would like us more. His words were a reminder that people are hungry for authenticity. They long for people – and a God – who are real.

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration, the day that Peter, James and John went up on a mountain and were able to see clearly who Jesus was. Represented by Moses and Elijah, they understood that Jesus was the fulfilment of the Jewish law and the prophets. Hearing the voice of God, they knew that Jesus was God’s son.

In the lessons for Transfiguration, this gospel is paired with the Old Testament story of Moses, whose face glowed as he came down from Mt. Sinai talking with God. It is as if, after spending time with God, all of Moses’ masks and protective shells were taken away. That day the people of Israel could see who Moses truly was… and see the light of God that was within him shining through.

Do we have the courage to let the light of God that is in us transfigure us and shine through? If we can do that, people might just see the real us – and see the face of God as well.