A Poem a Sunday

The Transfiguration of Our Lord – A

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Matt.17:1-9 NRSV

The Transfiguration

17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I[a] will make three dwellings[b] here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved;[c] with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Footnotes:

Matthew 17:4 Other ancient authorities read we

Matthew 17:4 Or tents

Matthew 17:5 Or my beloved Son

A Poem a Sunday

The Transfiguration of Our Lord

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Now What?

A seed is planted

for nearly 3 years:

teaching, healing,

preaching amid so many fears.

A mount is a pulpit,

a sermon is given.

The meek have the earth,

no mourning in heaven.

Now up from the valley,

4 walk to the height

on a clear twilight eve,

no one else is in sight.

A view from Mount Tabor,

Yizrael Valley below.

North on the horizon,

Mt. Hermon is shown.

The vision is grand,

the sun a pink hue,

as darkness descends

on those chosen few.

Now a sudden light

after hours of prayer.

A resurrected Lord

revealed right there.

Capture the moment.

Do not descend.

No Passion will happen,

no resurrection.

We prefer the mountaintop.

We prefer the view,

basking in a Saviour

with nothing else to do.

Savor the sunlight.

Build shacks on the hill.

With Moses and Elijah

enjoy the mystical thrill.

But the pattern of the seed,

and the thin air of the mountain,

sends them to Jerusalem

and the bloody fountain.

Transformed in darkness

on the Mount of Calvary.

A Saviour loves the world

and sets humanity free.

Free now to follow

the pattern of the seed.

The grain of wheat dying

to save those in need.

Springs to life eternal

out of dark, damp soil.

Springtime transformation

in the life in which we toil.

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