We talked about the Transfiguration on Sunday. In the event of the Transfiguration, Peter, acting rashly – as Peter always does – wanted to erect three tabernacles to enshrine Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Peter wanted to lock it down, make this the pilgrimage spot, forget about the command to follow to Jerusalem and the cross. Peter wanted to construct an …
Transfigured, Not Transfixed
Over the last five weeks, we have had conversations about our values as a church and how those values are expressions of the Gospel. That conversation actually began way back in October at our church retreat. We asked folks to write something they value about this church on a sticky note and add it to our board. Then we grouped …
Leaving Galilee
On my trip to the Holy Land, the first week was idyllic. We began in Galilee in a hotel perched on a hillside overlooking the sea. Each morning when we awoke and each night before we turned in, we were treated to a feast from the bounty of the land. If I imagine God’s feast table in heaven, this is …
The Mountain Top and the Ever After
We have two stories from Luke this week: the Transfiguration and Jesus’ Lament for Jerusalem. The Catholic Lectionary in the Second Sunday of Lent always has the story of the Transfiguration. This year is Luke’s year, so we get 9:29-36. Jesus takes Peter and James and John to a mountain top to pray. The disciples just had a lot of …