Luke 9: 28–36

Jesus climbed the mountain to pray, taking Peter, John, and James along. While he was in prayer, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became blinding white. At once two men were there talking with him. They turned out to be Moses and Elijah – and what a glorious appearance they made! They talked over his exodus, the one Jesus was about to complete in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Peter and those with him were slumped over in sleep. When they came to, rubbing their eyes, they saw Jesus in his glory and the two men standing with him. When Moses and Elijah had left, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He blurted this out without thinking.

While he was babbling on like this, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them. As they found themselves buried in the cloud, they became deeply aware of God. Then there was a voice out of the cloud: “This is my Son, the Chosen! Listen to him.”

When the sound of the voice died away, they saw Jesus there alone. They were speechless. And they continued speechless, said not one thing to anyone during those days of what they had seen.

Gospel Reflection

God is a mystery. God’s Presence is enveloped in mystery. In fact, coming into God’s Presence isn’t like downloading a set of search results. It’s like entering a thick cloud, where everything is obscured. Distorted. Colourless. Disorientated.

But, there, in the midst of the cloud is the Presence of God who has come to be with you.

As Christians, we need to learn how to sit in the cloud. We need to teach patience, and how to be comfortable not knowing about something, but rather really knowing Something.

Moses came down from the clouded mountain with his face radiant—changed. Because it’s in the cloud that we’re changed.

Peter, James, and John are changed on that mountain—forever. And, not because they learned lots of fun-filled facts. In reality, they probably descended with more questions than answers.

But, like Moses, they met the Living God. And, that’s what changes us. That’s what alters the course of our lives. And, as Christians, that’s what we’re all about: being in God’s Presence.