06/08/2013

Good Morning

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus. This Gospel story lies at the centre of one of my earliest memories of spiritual encounter. In the story, Jesus leads three of His disciples, Peter, John and James up a high mountain to pray. Mountains have always been thought of as 'thin' places where mortals can be at one with the Eternal . In the story, as Jesus prays, His face shines like the sun and His robe becomes white and glistens. The great law-giver, Moses, and the greatest Old Testament prophet, Elijah, appear beside Him. Jesus' disciples have been asleep but, once awake, they see Christ's glory. A cloud appears and from it we hear the voice of God.

This dramatic faith narrative is intended for personal meditation. As we gaze into this word picture, we see Jesus with the eyes of our soul and feel His nearness with new intensity. We are the ones who are transfigured. Perhaps what is most significant about the presence of Moses and Elijah is that they have been raised from the dead. They are testimony to the message about resurrection preached by Jesus.

Finally, God speaks from the cloud. The ancients understood that God is closer to us than our breathing yet remains invisible, elusive and hidden.

Mysterious God,

imperceptibly present,

saturate our thought with knowledge of You,

comfort us with peace the world cannot give.

Amen.