READING: MARK 9:2-13

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what ‘rising from the dead’ meant.

And they asked him, ‘Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?’

Jesus replied, ‘To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.’

REFLECTION

I got into a conversation last week with a builder. It started about dogs, moving on to American Politics and then about the meaning of life and death. This guy had read in the news about the tragic death of a four year old girl who had been given drugs by her parents. He shared this with a mixture of anger and sadness. I had to confess I hadn’t seen the story and so he told me with a tear in his eye he said ‘the thing I don’t understand is that there’s no justice for that little girl. It’s like she didn’t matter’.

As I walked around Sheffield city Centre that morning I thought a lot about that builder and our conversation. How would I explain today’s passage – the transfiguration - to him? Would this be just another bible reflection that doesn’t tap into the real world? Would it make any difference to his life? ?

To put simply the Transfiguration refers to a moment in the gospels where Jesus’ full divinity – his power, his glory and his majesty are revealed and is witnessed by a few people. It’s a tiny moment when heaven opens and we wear the audible voice of the father speak his love for His son. It demonstrates Jesus’ power and his authority.

So what then? How would I explain this to Andy?

It means this that Jesus is on a mission – and we as his church are continuing that mission. To bring hope to the hopeless and make a difference around us. It means that when Jesus returns - while we may not see justice in our courts on earth – there will be a day of Justice. Jesus will wipe away every tear. There will be not more sickness; brokenness; awful stuff. The transfiguration reminds us that is making things new. It says to people like my new friend the builder – this tabloid story is not the end. Jesus is making all things new and he will bring justice to bear on the earth.

PRAYER

Lord, we are surrounded by lots of people who look at the world and ask why! Help us to seek out those around us and bless them, listen to them and share you!

Amen

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