Beholding the Transfiguration

Dearly Beloved,


Grace and Peace to you.



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!"
— Luke 9.29-35



Jesus shines as an icon of God, the fulfillment of the law and prophets. Caught up in the satisfaction of it, we are tempted to somehow capture the moment, take control of the mystery, possess the grace, contain the power. We want to build a box. But grace can't be contained. We have no control; the power is loose; the mystery confounds and passes on. All we have is the present moment. All we can do is keep awake and pay attention. We can't possess the glory, but we can receive it. We can't master the mystery, but we can behold it. We can listen. In truth we do not confess Christ as Lord with our lips, but with our ears. May your heart be open to the mystery and glory of the Presence, the Love of Heaven shining in your midst. How can you behold the glory? Keep listening, keep listening.




Deep Blessings,
Pastor Steve


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Copyright (c) Steve Garnaas-Holmes
unfoldinglight(at)hotmail.com