12 March 2017 - the light of life

[ Today's Readings ]

And he was transfigured before them; 
his face shone like the sun 
and his clothes became white as light.

Jesus is revealed to us. Life and immortality and brought to light before us. We see a vision that can sustain us even in the face of death. The one we behold is one over whom death has no claim. In trying to lay hold of this radiance death itself is destroyed. Here is a vision that can sustain us even when we encounter the cross in our own lives.

Bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

We need the strength that comes from God to bear our share of hardship. We cannot do it on our own. We are not meant to do it without the vision of the radiance of who Jesus truly is.

This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.

Even Moses and Elijah need this. They are figures pointing to the one to come. They point to the culmination of the death and resurrection of Jesus. They point, therefore, to this unconquerable life that Jesus reveals in himself. Without this revelation Moses and Elijah have no ultimate or final direction to their own teaching and leadership. It is in Jesus blazing in glory that their own ministries are given their definitive meaning.

The vision of Jesus is for us a new and more certain version of the promise given to Abram. We see the promise of blessing, of our own future beatitude, in the one transfigured on Mount Tabor. In seeing it we are able to journey on without knowing the way or having ever seen the final destination, knowing that the promise is certain.

Abram went as the LORD directed him.

We pilgrimage on this earth, often encountering the cross, but are undeterred because we are sustained by the vision of Jesus we treasure in our hearts and the words spoken over him by the Father to which we cling. Even if we betray Jesus this vision will help us to turn back to him when we repent.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.