Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.
Matthew 17:1-2 (NRSV)
There’s a song in every silence,
Seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness,
Bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
What it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season,
Something God alone can see.
“Hymn of Promise,” 707 in the Hymnal
We read in Matthew’s gospel that on this one particular day in this one specific place, Jesus revealed something magnificent to three of his closest friends. All the goodness contained within his human body was suddenly set loose, visible and powerfully present. It was too much. It only lasted a brief moment. I imagine, however, that this brightness was seared into the memories of these three men in a way that changed how they would see their friend Jesus and this world in the future. Everything looked different after what had been hidden was revealed and made visible.
As United Methodist Christians we hold that every person bears a fragmentary piece of God’s image within themself. It is the part of you which resonates with the beautiful, the good, and the holy, and which draws each of us into deeper relationship with God and one another.
It is unfortunately all too easy to build our lives in such a way, however, that we cut off our ability to live with the awareness of the divine in and with us. We pack our schedules, set silly goals, and busy ourselves with everything but the things which will bring us lasting fulfillment and blessings to the people in our lives. What is needed is a conscious, intentional turning away from the lesser idols we populate our routines with and a reorientation to God’s grace.
Lent is the annual 40 day time of repentance where we take up things that are helpful and set aside things that are not. This Lenten season begins with an Ash Wednesday service Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00pm. In the time leading up to that Wednesday, take time to reflect on where you are.
Are you living a life full of the gracious love of Christ?
Do you feel connected to the people in your life?
What is preventing you from deepening your faith today?
Prayerfully reflect on these questions and those which arise and together we can draw near to God this Lent.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Ben
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