Gospel: Matthew 17: 1-9
Consider Peter today on Mount Tabor and in the context of his life. Just prior to coming up the mountain of transfiguration Peter is rebuked harshly by Jesus, who calls him a Satan for rejecting the idea of Jesus dying on the cross. In a few months or so Peter will deny Jesus three times and run away from the scene in fear and shame. But in the midst of these failures, Peter experiences this one moment of blessing, this little oasis of joy in the midst of his struggles and failures.
The mountain of God is often an oasis of faith in the midst of life's struggles throughout Scripture. It is the place where Moses encounters God in the midst of a grueling journey through the desert where he encounters nothing but hardship. It is the place of refuge for Elijah as he seeks a place of hiding from the forces of Baal who seek to kill him. He finds God's presence on the mountain in the soft, gentle breeze.
Today is a day for us to reflect on our own moments of transfiguration in the midst of our lives of struggle and failure. It is our day to recall little moments of spiritual oasis where God's presence was powerfully felt, consolation given, awe and joy experienced. For these are the moments that will sustain us and keep us moving on our journey to the reign of God.
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