This second week of Lent, I’m focusing on the Transfiguration in Luke’s Gospel. I love how Peter wants to built little dwellings up on the mountaintop and stay! How true when we are surrounded by glory, we don’t want to leave! As I read through this passage, my attention was caught by the phrase “fully awake.” I imagined what my expression might be at viewing the glory of the Lord, fully awake. My weekly art offering is the result. This was a fun, charcoal experiment!  

Scripture Reading:

“About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.” – Luke 9:28-36

Questions to Ponder:

• When have you followed another and found glory in where they led you?

• Consider a time when you’ve left a mountaintop experience and met chaos upon leaving. Dwell upon why having a regular rhythm of returning to the mountaintop (renewal) is paramount to our faith life.

• When have you treasured something silently in your heart until the time felt ripe to share? Give thanks for the gift of pondering.

Closing Prayer:
God of the mountaintop, help us to hear your voice and heed your call to follow your Son’s example of love, compassion and hospitality. Amen.