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The Readings.
2 Peter 1. 16 - 19
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Luke 9. 28 - 36
Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
The Sermon
Prepared by Joe, Reader at St Mary's.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Some years ago I was walking down High Street, on the other side of
the road to the Nat West Bank. I suddenly experienced what I’ve
since described as ‘a moment of perfect clarity’. For a period of time
– it felt like minutes but must have been just seconds – everything
slowed, and I felt that I had a connection with the whole world; that I
thought I understood everything; everything was ‘just right’. And
then Sheffield re-asserted itself.
There isn’t a month goes by when I don’t recall that moment.
For Peter, James, and John, that moment came on a mountainside,
where they saw something so overwhelming that they could scarcely
speak about it, but that stayed with them all their days.
Today’s Gospel from Luke follows on from Jesus telling his disciples
about his forthcoming death. What happens in the intervening week
we’re not told, but then it’s reported that Jesus goes up the
mountain to pray. Peter and the others – well, they go along and
appear to doze off. As is often the case in the Gospels, when Jesus
prays, things happen, and the mountain becomes what we’d these
days call a liminal space – a place where the curtain between heaven
and Earth is pulled back, just for a moment.
Jesus is transfigured. This is not a transformation of Jesus into
something new. This is Jesus being revealed in his glorious entirety.
Human, Divine, a person of the Trinity, the Son of God.
Moses and Elijah don’t just show up because they’re hanging around
waiting for a chance to visit. They represent the Law and the
Prophets, and speak with Jesus about what is to come – Jesus’
departure, as it’s put, in Jerusalem. Like the Exodus in the Old
Testament, Jesus’s personal exodus from His human life will bring
about a sea-change in man’s relationship with God.
Peter and the others start to wake up and Peter suggests building
some sort of little houses for the three. Well meaning, but not really
appropriate. And then, a cloud descends - a symbol of God’s
presence throughout scripture - and a voice speaks: “This is my Son,
my Chosen; listen to Him.”
And that’s that. The vision fades; normality re-asserts itself; the
curtain is drawn. Jesus looks once more as he did before, and Moses
and Elijah are nowhere to be seen.
This moment on the mountain is not a break from reality—it is a
glimpse of the ultimate reality. We are so used to thinking of Jesus in
humble, human terms - born in a manger, sharing meals with
sinners, washing the feet of his friends and crucified between
criminals. And all of that is true. But this story reminds us that He’s
not just an itinerant Rabbi and jobbing carpenter – He is the Son of
God. Fully Human, fully Divine.
Peter, writing many years later in 2 Peter 1, looks back at that day
and says, “We were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” It made such an
impression that he calls it a lamp shining in a dark place. What an
impact that experience made on him!
When our world feels dim—when faith feels difficult—when we’re
trudging through uncertainty—it’s good to remember the mountain.
To remember that the Jesus we follow is not just a wise teacher, not
just a compassionate friend—but the Lord of Glory. The
Transfiguration reminds us that we are not walking behind a human
leader shedding a fading light, but following the Son of God who
shines with eternal power.
The only words God speaks in this entire passage are these: “This is
my Son, my Chosen; listen to Him.” We’re not told to behold His
glory; we’re not told to worship. We are told to listen.
Because the voice of Jesus—the words of Jesus—will guide us when
the mountaintop vision fades. When life returns to the valleys, to the
ordinary, to the painful, the confusing, the beautiful grind of our
days—we are called to keep listening.
And what has Jesus been saying? A week before this moment, He has
spoken plainly to His disciples, telling them that He will die; He will
be resurrected; His journey is the one they must now follow.
In a world with so many competing voices - some seductive and
persuasive, some fearful, some angry, some threatening - we need to
hear the voice of God again. Listen to Him.
In your relationships, in your work, in your doubts, in your joy: Listen
to Him. Listen to my Son.
After all this, Luke tells us that “they kept silent.” And then the very
next verse - though not in our reading today - returns us to the
everyday grind: a boy tormented by an unclean spirit, a desperate
father, and the disciples struggling to cope.
It’s a jarring shift. That’s how it often is. The moments of spiritual
clarity, of sacred beauty, are often followed by reality slapping us
back to attention. But that’s why the Transfiguration matters.
Because we are meant to carry its light with us into the shadows. It is
not escapism. It’s equipping.
As Peter writes, “You will do well to be attentive to this, as to a lamp
shining in a dark place.” It’s not just about what they saw—but what
they do now. How would Christians of the day be enlightened by the
experience.
What does this mean to us today?
The Transfiguration is a dazzling, holy moment—but it is also a
reminder of the nature of Jesus and His impact on us.
We’re reminded that Jesus is glorious; a fully human man who walks
and talks with the prophets, who reveals his divinity to His friends,
and who is recognised as the Son of God. His presence in the world is
a pivotal moment when man’s relationship with God shifts from the
emphasis on Law to Love.
We’re called to listen to what Jesus says – not to worship him. Not to
marvel in His glory. Just listen. We may be surrounded by the babble
of media, angry voices, persistent social media. Ignore those voices.
Listen to the quietness of your soul. Listen to Jesus’ words.
We’re called to carry His light, his words and teachings to others,
even when the world feels dim and His glory is absent from our sight.
Listen and remember when your steps take you into the dirty,
bloody, mess of the world.
“This is my Son. Listen to Him.”
Let us take that voice seriously. And let it guide our steps—not just
on the mountain, but in the everyday valleys of life.
Amen.
The Prayers
In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ,
let us pray to the Father.
Lord of glory, it is good that we are here.
In peace we make our prayer to you.
In trust we confirm our faith in you.
Help us to set our faces steadfastly to where you would have us go.
Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.
Lord of glory, look with favour on your Church,
proclaiming your beloved Son to the world
and listening to the promptings of his Spirit.
May she be renewed in holiness that she may reflect your glory.
Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.
Lord of glory, look with favour on the nations of the world,
scarred by hatred, strife and war.
May they be healed by the touch of your hand.
Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.
Lord of glory, look with favour on those in need and distress,
suffering as your Son has suffered
and waiting for the salvation you promise.
May the day break
and Christ the Morning Star bring them the light of his presence.
Lord, look with favour.
Lord, transfigure and heal.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is used here is copyright (c) 2010 The Archbishops' Council