Forward Today: Delivered from disquietude
Dear friends in Christ,
Tomorrow the church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ. On this occasion, we remember and give thanks for the time Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a mountain where he was transfigured for them. In this remote place, the disciples clearly saw Jesus for who he really is: the glorious, light-giving Son of God.
Jesus’ identity didn’t change in this moment. He has been only begotten Son of God from the creation, through his earthly ministry, to today, and will be the same until the end of all things. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What changed on the occasion we remember (as told in Luke’s Gospel) is how Jesus was perceived. The disciples changed, not Jesus.
This all took place on a mountain, a place that invites new perspectives, literally and metaphorically. Besides its height, the mountain surely took the disciples away from their usual chaos to a quieter place.
We may not see Jesus as a dazzling figure. But we can behold him for who he is, our Lord and Savior. We can see his perfect love for us. We can see how he has redeemed us from sin and death. We can see that he is ready to welcome us when we turn to him and repent. But we might need to leave the chaos of our routine lives — this might mean setting aside quiet time, or going to a holy place, or some other way to make space for seeing Jesus. He will never change, but we can be changed by him.
The collect for this day aims us in the right direction:
O God, who on the holy mount didst reveal to chosen witnesses thy well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.
Blessings to you as you celebrate the Transfiguration.
Yours faithfully,
Scott Gunn
Executive Director
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