Shine Like the Sun

Luke 9:28-36

Father Mark's sermon focuses on the transfiguration of Jesus as described in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus, accompanied by Peter, James, and John, goes up a mountain to pray.

 While praying, Jesus' appearance changes, his clothes become dazzling white, and Moses and Elijah appear with him. Peter, overwhelmed, suggests building dwellings for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, but a cloud overshadows them, and a voice from the cloud declares, "This is my son, my chosen. Listen to him." 

The sermon emphasizes that God seeks to dwell in us, transforming us into living temples of the Holy Spirit rather than in physical structures. This transformation is likened to a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, a process that is God's work rather than our own. 

The sermon encourages listeners to embrace this metamorphosis during Lent, allowing God to transform their hearts and minds, making them shine like the sun and reflect the light of Christ into the world. Father Mark encourages the congregation to use Lent as a time to seek transformation, rather than just improvement, and to embrace the mind, eyes, and heart of Christ.

Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.