St Michael's Church (Church of England)

¹ After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ² There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³ Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” ⁸ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

It is important for us to remember that right before Jesus entered into Jerusalem he had revealed to his closest disciples the true extent of his glory, of his nature in being the Son of God. 4 chapters later in Matthew’s Gospel we are given the account of the entry into Jerusalem, and the crowds shouting their adulations. Why should we remember this? Because he was giving clear indication of all that was to happen. And despite their not understanding at the time we can see with hindsight how he built up the information of his forthcoming last days in Jerusalem, his death and even the indication of his glory finally revealed through resurrection.

Today’s Gospel reading begins: ‘Six days later’ - Six days after what? If we look back to Matthew chapter 16, we find a sequence of events taking us from Peter’s confession of faith and Jesus’ naming of him as the rock on which he will build his church (16:18), through Jesus’ prediction of his coming death and Peter’s misunderstanding of this. Jesus’ rebuke of Peter is followed by a blunt spelling out of just what will be demanded of the disciples in their life of faith.

It is this sequence of events that gives the account of Jesus’ transfiguration its context and meaning. Many times Jesus had gone up a mountain alone to pray; on this occasion he takes Peter, James and John with him. And the disciples witness there a mysterious and awe-full event. Just as Peter makes another mis-judged comment a bright cloud overshadows them, from which a voice speaks: “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”

It is as if the earth-bound, limited, human understanding of the disciples needed the jolt that witnessing the Transfiguration must have given them. For a moment, the veil separating earth and heaven is lifted and the disciples are given a privileged glimpse of the glory surrounding and underpinning Jesus’ earthly mission.

Before we reflect on this meaning for us today I want to take a step back and consider the other readings.

We started with the account from Exodus, 24.12 – 18 where we hear of Moses spending time with God. Again we notice the cloud of God’s presence is recorded as Moses enters into God’s glory. Verse 16 is important: Moses was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights. Ring a bell?

40 is a key number in Jewish understanding. Traditionally meaning ‘a long time’ we hear of 40 days for the flood, 40 years for the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, and importantly Jesus and his 40 days in the desert as he prepared for his short public ministry of 3 years. This will of course be the foundation of our start of Lent when next week we hear of the temptations that Jesus underwent at the end of his time of fasting, prayer and waiting on God.

So why do we think that Jesus revealed to the disciples his true nature of being not just God’s son, but God’s beloved son? Why do we remind ourselves of this now, on the threshold of lent? What is the link between the glory shown in that transfiguration of Christ and the call to repent of our sins, to prepare ourselves for 40 days of Lenten observance by being shriven.

Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving that Christians used to undergo in the past. In shriving, a person confesses their sins and receives absolution for them.

When a person receives absolution for their sins, they are forgiven for them and released from the guilt and pain that they have caused them.

These days we tend to think of the day as ‘Pancake Day’ and remember the eating part of the day, ready for some restraint in the coming weeks but may forget the original expectation that to prepare for lent a confession with the priest was usual.

If you would like to make a personal confession I am very willing to be available for you anytime up until Holy week. You may like to spend and hour with me talking about God in your life. Please do be in contact with me should either of these ideas be what you are thinking of.

In the letter from Peter we heard again how important it is to realise the glory of Christ, given him from God the father. Peter says we have been eyewitnesses of his glory.

This glory is proof to the nature of Jesus. The reason why we should take seriously all we promise and state as Christians.

What would it be like if we made our affirmation of faith whilst seeing the real glory of God revealed. How would that be?

This glory is what is present with Jesus in the triumphant welcome into Jerusalem; gives strength to him during his torture; and returns with him with his resurrection.

and his glory still exists, - I encourage us to look beneath the surface of things to the glory and presence of God which sustains all things in being.

Many of us felt the power of God’s word to us last week in the words and meaning of the Gospel:

do not be afraid, I am with you, have faith, trust in me.

The path our life’s journey takes may at times bewilder and confuse us, but Jesus challenges us to look for the transfiguring power of God in all that comes our way.

The message of the Transfiguration also urges us to seek the glory and presence of God, now, in the present moment.

When Jesus predicted his own death, Peter’s response was that such an end must be avoided at all costs (“God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you”). But Jesus challenges us to stay in the present moment with what we do not understand, and wait for the meaning and purpose of God to be revealed.

Our growth into wholeness depends neither on fearful attempts to escape, nor on an acquisitive grasping of God’s blessings, but on a determination to live each moment to the full, whatever it brings, in the light of God’s glory.

The Rev'd Camilla Walton

Vicar St Michael & All Angels Church, Beaconsfield.

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