Daily Office Readings, Year 2
  Proper Twenty-Three 

Friday, October 17, 2008

The transfiguration, as described in Luke's Gospel today, is surely a miracle, a miracle of identity.  Jesus who had told his disciples that he came to fulfill the law and the prophets, goes to the mountain with Peter, James, and John to pray.  And there is this amazing transfiguration where Christ's appearance is changed and there appears with him Moses, the lawgiver, and Elijah, the prophet.

When I let myself read this passage with only my brain in gear, I wonder how the three disciples present could have known that the two other figures were Moses and Elijah.  But when I read this passage with my heart,that question becomes a small technicality of only passing interest.

What amazes me is that Jesus, the son of God, who is fully human and fully divine, is transformed during prayer. There is an awesome and holy power atwork here.  It reminds me of the account of Christ's baptism in the Gospelof Luke, where the heavenly voice and the Holy Spirit are seen, not at thebaptism itself, but later -- when Christ is praying.

When I read of how often Christ went apart from the crowds to be alone and pray, as in this incident, I am reminded of the importance of prayer:  if Christ, the son of the Living God needed to pray to his father, how much more I need to pray to keep that communication with God going!

This particular verse reminds me also of the transforming power of prayer.  Someone has said, "Prayer always changes things -- but most often it changes the one who prays."

ACTIVITY FOR THE DAY:  What changes in myself do I need to pray for today?  Am I willing to ask God to make me more patient? To ask Godto help me forgive others? To ask God for help and transform any disappointments and sorrows I have experienced, into something which can help others and glorifymy savior? To ask God to make me a servant?  Oh, so much needs to be changed,and our God is so willing to help.  Do I dare ask for such things?

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, today as I pray I do not ask you to change things for me, to change circumstances around me, or to change others or their circumstances.  Instead, Lord, I ask that you transforming meinto a more caring person, a more humble servant, a more willing helper tothose around.  Transform me so that I can better follow Christ and betterserve you and those around me. Amen.

JOURNALING NOTES:

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