Transfiguration Sunday

Transfiguration Sunday (February 14th, 2021) is the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday (on Feb. 17th in 2021) and the 7th Sunday after Epiphany. 
 

This Sunday highlights the transfiguration of Jesus that is recorded in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. After the transfiguration, Jesus heads to Jerusalem, knowing that He would suffer and die. 

A key phrase in the transfiguration is "listen to Him". It is what the disciples heard God say to them about Jesus. 

We have a lot of noise in our world today. Listen to Him.

We have noise from news networks. Listen to Him.

We have noise from people afraid they are not being heard. Listen to Him.

We have noise from people speaking in fear, in anger, or in hate. Listen to Him.

We have noise from businesses urging us to buy so that we can be satisfied. Listen to Him.

We have noise from voices crying out against injustice and oppression. Listen to Him.

And as we listen to Him, the events around us are still the same, but we are different. 

We hear the noise, but we block it out to hear His voice. 

We hear the news and hear His voice telling us to pray and intercede on behalf of the people. 

We hear people shouting, afraid they will be silenced, and we hear Him say, "Love them. Show them compassion. They too are made in my image". 

We hear people speaking in fear, anger, and hate, as we hear Him call us to respond in love, in truth, and in compassion. 

We hear businesses telling us to "buy, Buy, BUY!", but we block the false narrative that things will satisfy us, fulfill us, or comfort us so we can turn to Him who does satisfy us. 

We hear voices crying out against injustice and oppression, and we realize that He too is speaking against these evils, even as He wants to reconcile oppressor and oppressed to Himself.

This Transfiguration Sunday, I urge you to listen to Him. Turn off the noise around you and listen. Stop talking and listen.