"Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them..."
Mark 9:2-3
A few years ago there was a movie out called "The Pursuit of Happyness," (yes, it was spelled that way on purpose). I went to it, hoping for a feel-good movie, but it was a rather sad tale of a guy trying to find as job and taking care of his little boy. The trouble was, nothing really good happened to the guy until the very end of the movie, and, by then, I was spent. I needed something reassuring to keep me in my seat...I needed to know this movie would eventually have a happy ending. Well, that is how I see the Transfiguration of Jesus in today's Gospel. The disciples needed a glimpse that this story would have a happy ending...eventually. They were to go through a whole lot in the next several years and they needed reassurance. Seeing Jesus with Moses and Elijah was validating that Jesus was in communion with their Jewish faith. And what could be more reassuring that the voice of God telling them to listen to Jesus, he is the Real Deal. And yet. Even after this experience, Peter denied Jesus and was an overall disappointment in Jesus' hour of need; they all were, really. It is comforting to note that as much as we walk with Jesus in our lives, we may slip up, too. And Jesus is still at our side. Love, heidi
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