TRANSFIGURED TO BE OURSELVES
(August 19)
“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them, and his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is a good thing that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’ And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only.” (Mk 9: 2-8)
As those of us on the Older Calendar celebrate the great feast of Transfiguration today, I’m thinking about Peter’s selfless, albeit silly, concern for providing “booths” to shelter the Lord, Elijah and Moses, – but not himself and his friends James and John. It is also delightful that Peter decides it’s appropriate to interrupt one of the most important conversations ever witnessed by human beings, with his suggestion, despite being “exceedingly afraid.” That is so “Peter.” I’m thinking, when we are visited by the grace of God; when God humbles us with a really “good thing” in our lives, – and we realize it is not from us but from Him, – we become less inhibited in our self-offering, in our gratitude. We become bolder in a good way; more ourselves, before God and others.
Today let me open my eyes and heart to the “good thing” that is God’s grace. It helps me to overcome fear and to be myself, in service to others, rather than to hoard “the good things” of my life in a self-centered manner. Lord, help us love one another and ourselves as You have loved us, – as we are, – so we can move forward and share of ourselves in the light and lightness of Your cross.
