Renewed hope

Laura Digan January 29, 2022 0 3

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Luke 9: 28-36 (NRSVA)

28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 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. 33 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. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ 36 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.

“I been on the mount transfiguration

Been there with my ma and my pa

On the mountain of commandment

I been handed down the law

You should have seen what I saw.”

From ‘Houdini Blues’, Kristin Hersh

I started the week quoting this song and thought I would finish by quoting it too. At the mount of transfiguration Jesus is joined by Moses and Elijah. They appear miraculous to Peter, John and James. The men hear Jesus, Moses and Elijah talking together, they even discuss Jesus’ soon to be departure from the earth. What an amazing experience for Peter, James and John and what insight for them too. They are hearing afresh the voices from their holy scripture. They are seeing these heroes of the scripture with fresh eyes. They were seeing Jesus for who he really was. 

This speaks to us today, a people with 21st century problems, living in a broken world on a planet which appears to be dying. I’ve often heard Christians say that caring about the planet isn’t that important as there isn’t much mention of it in the Bible. But we can read our Bibles with fresh eyes, we can listen to the Word of God with fresh ears. The heroes of the Bible might not have had to contend with climate change and the many other environmental issues we currently are facing but they did have to deal with natural disasters,  exploitation, war and trauma to name but a few. If we can engage with God’s Word sincerely and creatively we may be able to learn from those who have gone before us to help us love and care for all of God’s creation, human and non-human. 

PRAYER:

Lord God, you have the power to make all things new,

Break into our thoughts

Break into our traditions

Expand our understanding of your Word

Bringing renewed hope to the darkness of this time

Amen