In a new light

Luke 9:28-36

          Let's face it, God know's all and we really know very little. As smart as we think we are, as we amass more and more knowledge about ourselves and the universe, the more we realize we really don't know. But we do want to know and we are ecstatic sometimes when we "get it".  Peter, John and James thought they got it and asked Jesus if they should build dwellings for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. But let's face it, most of the Apostles didn't really "get it" until after Jesus had died. Jesus was always explaining and re-explaining things to the Apostles.

          Our human senses are not as reliable as we might think they are. We make judgements about what we see and feel and often run with it. We make decisions and sometimes are unwilling to bend or yeild to another idea we have already decided on. I can picture some one saying " I know they did that on purpose" as if we can see inside someone elses mind or heart. This process is true of people, institutions and governments. I can also see how warped the logic is that some people use. I can still here the rediculous arguments in my head when some said "let gays marry??? next thing you know people will want to marry sheep or their cars".  Our logic and intelligence can easily be called into question. Yes what we sense and what we think are not always correct.

         Sometimes, perhaps when we are having a weak moment, our eyes are opened to a new sight, a new vision. We see someone in a different light. You may have made a snappy decision about some one and later find out your impression is completely off. Perhaps you've had that experience. Even in school, you can't understand until something is explained a different way and the light bulb in your head goes off.  Having grown up as a minority (white) in a predominantly black neighborhood I understood more than most how it feels to be a minority. I think there is an expression about judging others until you walk in their shoes - or is that mocassins?

             If in our search to become whole persons, we close our minds and stop thinking, stop empathising and stop loving, it will be just as well that we roll over and die. We should do all that we can to enable our brains to see clearly, expand our capacity to love so that we truly live until our physical bodies cease to function and we too are transfigured into God's presence.

              

The Transfiguration

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.