Sunday, March 13, 2022: Second Sunday of Lent

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying.

While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.”

After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

A former pastor once told us to listen carefully whenever Peter speaks in the Gospels: “The first thing out of his mouth will be profound. And the second will be the most bone-headed thing you ever heard.” Case in point: today’s Gospel, which earns Peter the putdown, “he did not know what he was saying.” Ouch.

For the apostles and for us, the Transfiguration is a wake-up call, literally and metaphorically. The apostles “had been overcome by sleep.” In waking, they see Jesus as he is but also as a promise of what will be, after the “exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem.” It should be a wake-up call for us, too. Though shadows descend and frighten us, if we listen to God’s chosen son, we will find the light.

Watch what comes out of your mouth today, and temper it with a moment of silence before you speak. A friend uses the acronym “THINK” to inform and instruct her speech. Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? Is it kind? For one week, try to live by the THINK rule. Maybe it will become a habit.