Matthew 17:1-9

Epiphany 9 - "Transfiguration" - Year A

Matthew 17:1-9

Six days after Peter's affirmation, "You are the Messiah", and denial, "God forbid you to suffer and die" (projecting his own and our resistance to these), Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to a high place.

High places can not only have thin air, but be a wilderness "thin place".

Remember the cycle of baptism --–> belovedness revealed --–> wilderness temptation? Here is an opportune time to revisit that previous wilderness temptation with Peter's rebuke/test (yes, a Lucan perspective, but apt nonetheless). Time to have a booster shot of belovedness previously revealed at baptism.

If the Jordan was a baptism by water, an unnamed mountain may be a baptism of spirit. I can't help but wonder if this story is a compilation of many such revelations of belovedness. Surely there was more than one rebuke/test that Jesus faced and subsequent need for remembrance of belovedness - perhaps this was part of those prayer retreats Jesus took.

At any rate, last week we heard the words, "Don't worry", and this week we hear "Don't be afraid". In both instances folks/disciples have forgotten the abundance of G*D and their ability to share beyond what they have at the moment. Choosing the Invisible Hand of G*D over the Invisible Hand of the Market has always been difficult. Choosing returning to work in every holy space of everyday life over designating shrines is equally difficult.

Blessings on your being able to tell real stories of your down-the-mountain work simply, without resorting to exceptionalist tales.