Peter's Witness to the Transfiguration

This week we celebrate the Transfiguration of Jesus the Christ.  Transfiguration means that something or someone undergoes a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state.  If you are unfamiliar with Matthew's account of the Transfiguration, you can read it in Matthew 17:1-9 as the context for today's passage. 

Peter may have felt he was the best friend of Jesus.  Perhaps he was, but John called himself "the one that Jesus loved."   With John's brother, James, both were in the inner circle of three disciples that always seemed to be invited to be with Jesus in the best times and in the worst times.  They tried to be loyal to him but sometimes they failed, just like we do.   Jesus forgave them each time just like God in Christ forgives us each time we fall short.

Peter tells us that he was an "eyewitness" to the majesty of Christ on the mountain.  And he learned from his experience.  He shares his witness and his wisdom in the passage we read today.

Perhaps before you read on, you might prepare your heart with a Breath Prayer.  Use this one or one that emerges for you as when you become quiet within yourself.  We breathe IN a Name or Image of God that speaks to us and we breathe OUT our deepest desire as a prayerful plea ... try this one and breathe your prayers as long as you can in the quiet.

Breathe in ... Light of Christ

Breathe out ... Shine in my Heart

When you are ready to enter the narrative through "Lectio Divina," pray for illumination of the text ... Light of Christ, shine on my path and in my heart.  I want to pay attention to your word and always walk in your ways.  Lead me and guide me with your Spirit and your wisdom!   Amen.

Step 1:  Read 2 Peter 1:16-21 slowly and reverently ...What word or phrase calls for your attention in your reading?  Spend a few moments pondering how God, through the words of Peter,  may be inviting you to deeper discipleship through your word or phrase ... 

 

We didn’t repeat crafty myths when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Quite the contrary, we witnessed his majesty with our own eyes.  He received honor and glory from God the Father when a voice came to him from the magnificent glory, saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well-pleased.”  We ourselves heard this voice from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. In addition, we have a most reliable prophetic word, and you would do well to pay attention to it, just as you would to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Most important, you must know that no prophecy of scripture represents the prophet’s own understanding of things, because no prophecy ever came by human will. Instead, men and women led by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Step 2:  Read the passage again and Reflect ...
How does your word or phrase from this passage illuminate your life or the life of your community right now?  How is God inviting you to change or grow or pray or act?

Step 3:  Read the passage again and Respond ...
What do you say to God about your light, your life and how you feel you are being called?   How do you pray when you consider what God is saying to you?

Step 4:  Rest ...
Come to a place of silence within yourself and just "be" with God.  Try for 10 minutes or beyond. When you are ready to move on,  pray:
 

Light of Christ, lead me by the power of the Holy Spirit to speak words of life to everyone I meet.  Help me be a lamp shining in dark places.   Amen.

If music is a pathway to God for you, listen to this acapella arrangement and if images are a pathway to God for you, watch this youtube video of Majesty by Four Over Forty.  Enjoy!