Luke 9 :28-36
A voice came from the cloud saying,
‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’
Much of the spiritual life involves the following of a fairly ordinary path of joys and challenges, moments of insight and times of darkness. For some there will be a mountain-top experiences. For others there will be the stories of the mountain-top experiences of others. In the story of the Transfiguration, Peter, James and John have a mountain-top experience.
Some commentators suggest that the disciples’ experience of glory is a strengthening for Christ’s impending Passion. Other commentators think that this experience on Tabor might be a resurrection appearance which Luke has mistakenly inserted here. Either way the text presents us with mystery.
I am always drawn to the fact that Jesus took with him those whom tradition considers his closest disciples. Though they didn’t and couldn’t understand what was happening, this mysterious experience would change them and bind them together. In our ordinary lives we too are offered this experience. It’s love which will transfigure us.
I was struck by the centrality of love in this verse from our Lauds hymn this morning:
Transfigured Christ, believed and loved,
In you our only hope has been;
Grant us in your unfailing love
Those things no eye has ever seen.
(Stanbrook Abbey)
How are you called to be transfigured by love today?