AM Psalm [83] or 34; PM Psalm 85, 86
2 Samuel 11:1-27; Acts 19:11-20;
Mark 9:2-13

The Transfiguration:
AM Psalm 2, 24; Exodus 24:12-18;
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
PM: Psalm 72; Daniel 7:9-10,13-14;
John 12:27-36a

The Transfiguration

Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day. I can’t remember a time when I have seen the heavens open this much in a two week time span. Frankly I didn’t know God could make this many thunderstorms in a row. I figured he would get bored.

How ironic that the readings for this morning deal with the transfiguration – “seeing the light of the gospel” in a new way as Paul says in 2 Corinthians. “‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Just as the gospels account the Transfiguration story where Jesus in shining splendor reveals himself to Peter, James and John, so too Paul speaks of the light and the veil. The presence of Moses and Elijah confirm the Law and the Prophets foretell Jesus as the Messiah, and for a moment the veil is lifted and Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of the heavenly splendor of the fullness of God.

Paul speaks of this same veil, but in a different way – a different light (pun intended) For Paul, the gospel is veiled, and it appears it is veiled by their ignorance, keeping them from seeing the light, the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

And so as I wait for the heaven to open and the light of the morning to break forth, I sit back and reflect on God’s light to me today. It is bright and radiant – a splendor of grace and forgiveness.

Have you seen the vision of Christ in your life? When has he been the brightest? What has veiled his splendor for you and made the world seem dull and lifeless? How has God transfigured for you over the years, perhaps from a childhood understanding of God to today?

-Matt
The Rev. Matt Meinke
First Presbyterian Church
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma