Sunday, February 11, 2024  

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Scripture Reading
Mark 9:2–9

Six days later, 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 clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. (NRSV)

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Reflection

Jesus had just begun his ministry, way up in Galilee (which was the middle of nowhere), but the word spread and the crowds came. He had said, “Follow me.” And follow, they did.

The crowds came limping and climbing, begging and demanding. With their demons and debts, their hunger and thirst, they cried, “Help.” And there were too many for just one man — even Jesus — to save alone, so he took off with Peter, James, and John, climbed a mountain — one of the highest they could find — and was finally alone.

Then suddenly Jesus was transfigured — transformed — changed. In a scene of dazzling light, Jesus was transfigured before the disciples. He shines.

Over the centuries theologians have claimed that the Transfiguration is part of the major milestones of Jesus’ life along with his birth, death, and resurrection, for this moment showed the disciples — and shows us — the glory of God.

No offense to those drawn to the miraculous, but I think Jesus’ ministry at this point had already been reflecting that dazzling light of God. In his preaching of the good news, healing of the sick, feeding of the hungry, lifting of the poor, and in his love of the unloved, Jesus was already radiating and reflecting that glorious light of God.

So maybe it isn’t Jesus who was transfigured on the mountaintop but the disciples — Peter, James, John — who were being transformed, changed, converted. They caught a glimpse of that bright and unfading glory and descended from the mountain to spread that light to the hungry, poor, aching crowds.

In the Transfiguration, Jesus invites us to come out of ourselves, forsake our human certainties, and make ourselves a gift of unbounded love — to make ourselves light. Jesus calls on us to be the light of the world, to radiate the mercy of God into the dark crevices of our broken world. He calls us to love. He calls us to shine.

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Prayer
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Amen.

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Reflection written by Shawn Fiedler, Major Gift Officer

Reflection © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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