
Feast of the Transfiguration
Feb 27, 2022
Luke 9: 28-36
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And 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!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Something to Do
…and went up on the mountain to pray
Jesus often goes away to pray – up mountains, into gardens, off to quiet places. Sometimes he goes alone and sometimes he takes friends with him.
Go away to pray sometime this week. Go somewhere that feels like a praying place. Go somewhere that does not feel like a praying place. Go alone. Go with a friend.
What does prayer feel like in those different situations?
Stay awake
Peter and his companions were weighed down by sleep but, since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory
Sometimes, the temptation to stop paying attention and just fall asleep is very hard to resist. Challenge yourself to stay awake (not necessarily by not going to bed!) and watch for signs of the glory of God even in the midst of trouble – or of tedium.

Something to Wonder
A conversation with your teachers
What questions do you think Jesus had for Moses and Elijah?
What questions do you think Moses and Elijah had for Jesus?
If you could meet with one or two of your most significant life teachers, what would you ask them? What they ask you? How would you answer?
“This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him.”
What does it mean for us, in 2022, to listen to Jesus?
Are there methods you have found effective in listening to Jesus? What are they? Why are do they work?
Do you struggle with the instruction to listen to Jesus? Why do you think that is?
Have you ever been sure you were hearing Jesus (or, more broadly, God)? What was that like?

Something to Learn
Looking to Lent – Burying the Alleluia
This Sunday is not only the Feast of the Transfiguration, it is also the last Sunday before Lent. As such, it is the last day on which alleluia! will ring out before the joyful celebration of Easter morning.
The practice of fasting from alleluia marks Lent as a season of somber reflection rather than easy joy and calls on us to find other ways to offer our praise to God – ways like making space for reflection and self-awareness through fasting or by offering gifts and acts of love and generosity to those in need or focusing more thoughtfully on prayer or study. Instead of shouting with joy, we whisper our confession, our thanks, and our desire to know God more fully. In this way, we prepare ourselves for the fullness of the celebration of the Resurrection at Easter.
Burying the alleluia is a way of marking the movement into our Lenten observance. Read more about the custom here.

Something to Pray
Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways.
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow.
The story this week has made me wonder about…
(what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.
The story this week has filled me with…
(how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.
The story this week has reminded me of…
(are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.