Courage, for what is to come

Matthew 17:8

Our Sunday Gospel of the Transfiguration is taken from Luke 9:28-36.

Peter James and John saw Jesus in his glorified body. This Jesus whom they were following was as much at home in the heavenly world as he was with them walking the shores of Lake Galilee.

We have all had some experience of the wonder of God. Sometimes it comes to us through the appreciation of nature, sometimes, indeed, on a mountain. But we all have to come back down the mountain and get on with real life, and most of our time is spent at the bottom of the mountain in the valleys of life. The ministry of Jesus could not be conducted from the mountain top, it was instead something carried out on the cross of suffering. But when the disciples were tempted to give up and think that the Christian service to which they were called was a hopeless cause, they were to look back and remember Christ as they knew him in the Transfiguration, clothed in glory. This would give them courage for what was to come.

The song 'Only Jesus' was inspired by reading the account of the Transfiguration from Matthew's perspective, 'and when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.'

What is our response to this question, 'Is the awareness of Christ's presence with us sufficient for what we currently encounter in life and for what lies ahead?

Blessings on your week and your continued Lenten journey.