February 14th - Reflection

Reading
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Luke 9:28-43a (NRSV)
Jesus is transfigured on the mountain

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" -- not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here." While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. And all were astounded at the greatness of God.

Reflection
It is so good for us to be here! ...be here in the presence of God. What a wonderful statement. It is good to be here, yet so fearful to be here, yet so hopeful to be here, yet so humbling to be here, yet so honorable to be here, yet so awesome to be here. Words cannot express what it's like to be in the presence of Jesus.

How can God become so intimate, yet be so great? How could I, or you, or anyone, be in the presence of God? Yet God comes to us and leads us to himself. Leads us and shows us his bright Light and covers us in his cloud of Love that completely inhabits every inch of our body and soul. An intimate God that invades every portion of our being in love and grace. It is so good for us to be here!

God leads us to the mountain top and takes us into the valley to cast out the demons of our sins and save us with the flesh of Jesus. Jesus who walks into death and brings life. From high to low to high. From life to death to life eternal. What we once viewed as the end is now only the beginning. What we can't do for ourselves, Jesus has done for us. It is so good for us to be here!

And as we come from the mountain top and return to the valley, it is so good for us to be here. The walk will be tough and treacherous, but the walk will be a walk that was taken first by Jesus. The walk will lead to death, but thanks be to God, Jesus has changed the outcome of that death to eternal life! It is so good for us to be here! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I fall to me knees and gather with your people in your presence. It is so good to be here. Thanks be to God! --- Amen