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. (Luke 9:33-34).
In our Gospel reading this Transfiguration Sunday, Peter in the face of a glorious and terrifying vision, tries to put some parameters on the situation. Dwelling places. For worship, of course. And perhaps, as containers for Peter’s imagination to hold and understand this experience.
But it doesn’t work. Instead, a cloud overshadows them all — prophets and disciples alike — and Luke tells us Peter, James and John were terrified.
We’ve been living through cloudy times, haven’t we? The overwhelm just won’t be contained. Just when one path becomes clear, there comes another turn of the pandemic, another plan dashed, another revelation of injustice.
We have all learned to live with low visibility of the future. But by God’s mercy, we may believe there is more in store for us yet. Transfiguration usually refers to the way Jesus’ image changed on that mountain, but I wonder how Peter, James, and John were changed too, by giving their fears over to the enshrouding grace of God.
What cloud are you living in today? What certainties have you had to give up? Listen: God’s voice still calls, even through the mist. What do you hear?
Three Holy Days
In our tradition, we make space on Maundy Thursday to remember central parts of our faith story. We hear about the...
