The following sermon was preached at Holy Cross, Byfield, on Sunday 27 February 2022.

The occasion was the Sunday next before Lent.

Scriptures relating are: Exodus 34:29-end; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-43a

You can listen to a recording of the sermon by clicking here.

Sometimes, without knowing it or even being aware of it, we can get locked into our own world and our particular situation. We can forget about or lose sight of the fact that we are part of a much bigger world.

In the gospel for today, Jesus takes some of his friends away from the business of the village and market place. He invites them to travel with him as he makes his way up the mountain. This is not unusual. We know from the gospels that Jesus often went off by himself to the mountains to pray. While they were there praying something wild and wonderful happened. Jesus was transfigured; he was changed; his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Imagine how surprised, shocked and taken aback those with Jesus were. Once composed, Peter utters the famous words, ‘Lord, it is good (or ‘wonderful’) for us to be here’. But more importantly than what was said, is what they heard; ‘This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him’.

These words are as much meant for us today as they were for those who first heard them. Today, we are surrounded if not bombarded by news all the time. We now have twenty-four hour news on our televisions, news from around the world arrives in seconds to us through the internet and there is no end to magazines and newspapers we can buy. Our lives are filled with news, but not all of it good news; some of it may even be fake news.

News, in these last two, almost three days, of a war being advanced and fought in a nation of our own continent, Europe, by an aggressive neighbour.  Today, we cannot but hear the good news story of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus, other than alongside – and as a counter and corrective to – the story of war and aggression…

The word and message that Jesus speaks to us and offers is life-giving and life-changing. The words of Jesus, nourish, nurture, and sustain us, if we open our hearts and lives to hearing it. As John’s gospel reminds us, Lord, you have the message of eternal life.

The Transfiguration gives us a brief and fleeting glimpse of Jesus in all His Glory. It is a taste of what is to come. It is offered to us encourage and challenge us in our daily lives. It reminds us that our lives are far more than what see, hear and experience every day. It is not just a matter of getting through the day. Being a follower of Jesus is about living with meaning, purpose and hope. The Transfiguration not only offers us a glimpse of Jesus in all His Glory, it also offers each of us a foretaste of what God promises each of us in the fullness of the Kingdom.

We may never experience anything as powerful as the Transfiguration. But every day in countless and seemingly small ways God does break into our world and our daily lives. Every time we experience a moment of peace, joy, reconciliation or forgiveness, God is with us. Every time that we reach out to help another person is a moment of transfiguration both for ourselves and for those we help. Each time somebody shows care and concern for us is a moment when God reaches out to us.

This week, let us open our hearts so that we may hear Jesus speaking to us. May we slow down and look for moments of small but important times of transfiguration in our own ordinary daily lives. 

And may we pray and act in transforming, Christlike love alongside those who are attacked, threatened, diminished, traumatised.  It is no accident of our scripture, that Luke tells that, immediately following the moment of Transfiguration, Jesus is back to His work of casting out evil and abuse and horror, and bringing fullness of life and restoration.  He heals a boy disturbed by who knows what kinds of inner tortures, and even restores him to his family, healing the hurts and abuse of the past…

So, in place of the oft-touted ‘shock-and-awe’ of the military invasion – such as that commenced in the Ukraine – we are to be those who – filled with awe of God – listen to Jesus’ healing and loving way.

And, as we commence the holy season of Lent this coming (Ash) Wednesday - 40 days and nights of preparation for Easter – may we listen especially to the story of the One whose journey to Jerusalem, of loving and suffering, is the story of God’s restorative purposes for all creation.