February 2020
"With Your Whole Heart"
February 16, 2020
Based on Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (reading follows the sermon)
“Blessed are those who seek God with their whole heart.” (Psalm 119:2)
This paraphrase of a verse from today’s psalm reminds me of something that took place when I was a junior in high school. It was a discussion we had in Humanities class about immortality and the human soul.
Our teacher, Mrs. Rekedal, had been talking about the centuries-old debate of what happens when a person dies. So, she asked us to think about our concept of a soul. “Where do you think,” she asked the class, “your soul resides in your body?”
My good friend Ken was sitting next to me. He raised his hand and stated, “The brain, because the brain is where my personal thoughts and identity are based. I think that’s where the soul is.”
Then I raised my hand to disagree, saying, “For me, my heart is where I feel love and caring.” Putting my hand on my chest, I said, “I feel like my soul lives right here in my heart.”
Today, knowing more about how feelings and thoughts are interrelated, I might change my answer. Scientists have found that even emotions are a function of our brains and its neurons, and that chemical reactions affect your mood.
For example, research suggests that low levels of serotonin, a chemical produced by nerve cells, might cause anxiety, depression and insomnia. Doctors use a variety of psychiatric medications to treat serotonin deficiency.
So, it’s only logical to conclude that whatever truly makes up a soul probably resides in our brain. But part of me—especially the creative, imaginative, emotional, artistic, illogical, soul-searching part of me—still likes the answer I gave in high school.
Those of us who have lived through a breakup with someone you loved, know that the pain centers in your heart. If you’ve ever been betrayed by a friend, the hurt feelings begin in your heart. Anyone who has lost a loved one or beloved pet knows that grief can feel like a hole in your heart.
The verse I read from Psalm 119 links our faith journey with the human heart: “Blessed are those who seek God with their whole heart.”
In Hebrew, the word for heart is לֵב (leb), a word that appears nearly 600 times in what we call the Old Testament or Hebrew scripture. Of course, it’s often used as a metaphor.
Throughout the Bible, this word is translated with a wide variety of meanings, using words like: caring, conscience, courage, imagination, inspiration, intelligence, kind, skillful, spirit, tender, understanding, and wisdom.
In our first lesson from Deuteronomy, Moses uses this word in a warning, when he says, “But if your heart turns away… and [you] are led away to other gods… you will perish.”
This reading is the last sermon preached by Moses. Long before this, God told Moses that he would never enter Canaan. In fact, Deuteronomy ends with the death of Moses.
So, Moses knows this is his farewell speech. A time to look into his heart and reflect on his past. Moses knew that life can be surprising. That even when you screw up (like Moses did more than once), even when feel like you are dying inside, God can use that failure as a new beginning.
For Moses didn’t experience his spiritual calling when he was riding high as a prince of Egypt during his early years. His first holy encounter with God came when he had reached rock bottom.
Long before this reading, Moses had fled Egypt as a murderer. In a rage, he had killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave, one of his own kindred. Moses fought back against an evil oppressor.
As a result, Moses had to flee Egypt as a fugitive. Then, at the lowest point in his life, Moses experiences a holy epiphany. God revealed in a burning bush.
And in that moment, a spark ignites in his heart. From that day forward, even though Moses resisted God’s call, the LORD led him step by step to freedom for himself and for his people, without really knowing where they were going.
In a similar way, we know that following God with our whole heart can lead us on an unpredictable path with myriad options. As Moses says in our first lesson, life can bring blessings and curses, good and evil, prosperity and adversity.
It’s easy to read these verses as a threat or warning to those who fail to follow God’s commands. But I don’t think that’s the only thing that Moses meant.
Choosing life can also mean a change in perspective. Like deciding to approach each day with an open heart. And just as God guided the people of Israel on a 40-year journey based on a covenant with Moses, so our faith began with a similar commitment.
On the day of your baptism, you also entered into a covenant. A new grace-filled relationship that declared you to be a child of God. Your pastor poured water over your head with a spoken promise that touched your heart: “You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.”
With those words, God declared that each of us was fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s divine image. That God created you and loves you just as you are. No matter what others might say. No matter what mistakes you might make. No matter whether you feel worthy of that love.
Baptism was the beginning of a pilgrim journey for you and me. A journey with many twists and turns, that sometimes leads to unexpected challenges. A journey that can include painful losses, difficult days, and months of soul-searching.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is a South African clergy and theologian recognized for his work against apartheid and for human rights. Over the years people have asked Archbishop Tutu many thoughtful questions, such as:
“How can you be so hopeful after witnessing so much evil?”
“Why are you so sure goodness will triumph in the end?”—and
“How do you not lose heart?”
To those questions, Tutu offers his own philosophy for living a grace-filled life. He writes:
“We are made for goodness. We are made for love…. We are made for togetherness. We are made for all of the beautiful things that you and I know. We are made to tell the world that there are no outsiders. All are welcome: black, white, red, yellow, rich, poor, educated, not educated, male, female, gay, straight, all…. We all belong to this family, this human family, God's family.”[1]
Today, more than any other time in recent history, our world needs to hear this kind of message. That we humans are made for goodness and it is up to us to fulfill our destiny.
That because God has created us with souls and the capacity to choose between good and evil, between kindness and cruelty, between justice and oppression, between forgiveness and resentment, our faith can make a difference in our lives.
And that faith comes with a promise. That if we choose life, God will be with us. That if we treat one another with grace, our souls will be filled with a love that conquers hate.
That if, with our whole hearts, we seek as servants to follow in the steps of Moses and Jesus, then God will walk with us throughout our life journey.
That’s the same promise we find in the words of Psalm 119:
“Blessed are those who seek God with their whole heart.” Amen.
----------------------------------------------------
1 Tutu, Desmond; Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference (New York: HarperCollins, 2010).
+ + +
FIRST LESSON: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
[Moses said to the people:] “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
This paraphrase of a verse from today’s psalm reminds me of something that took place when I was a junior in high school. It was a discussion we had in Humanities class about immortality and the human soul.
Our teacher, Mrs. Rekedal, had been talking about the centuries-old debate of what happens when a person dies. So, she asked us to think about our concept of a soul. “Where do you think,” she asked the class, “your soul resides in your body?”
My good friend Ken was sitting next to me. He raised his hand and stated, “The brain, because the brain is where my personal thoughts and identity are based. I think that’s where the soul is.”
Then I raised my hand to disagree, saying, “For me, my heart is where I feel love and caring.” Putting my hand on my chest, I said, “I feel like my soul lives right here in my heart.”
Today, knowing more about how feelings and thoughts are interrelated, I might change my answer. Scientists have found that even emotions are a function of our brains and its neurons, and that chemical reactions affect your mood.
For example, research suggests that low levels of serotonin, a chemical produced by nerve cells, might cause anxiety, depression and insomnia. Doctors use a variety of psychiatric medications to treat serotonin deficiency.
So, it’s only logical to conclude that whatever truly makes up a soul probably resides in our brain. But part of me—especially the creative, imaginative, emotional, artistic, illogical, soul-searching part of me—still likes the answer I gave in high school.
Those of us who have lived through a breakup with someone you loved, know that the pain centers in your heart. If you’ve ever been betrayed by a friend, the hurt feelings begin in your heart. Anyone who has lost a loved one or beloved pet knows that grief can feel like a hole in your heart.
The verse I read from Psalm 119 links our faith journey with the human heart: “Blessed are those who seek God with their whole heart.”
In Hebrew, the word for heart is לֵב (leb), a word that appears nearly 600 times in what we call the Old Testament or Hebrew scripture. Of course, it’s often used as a metaphor.
Throughout the Bible, this word is translated with a wide variety of meanings, using words like: caring, conscience, courage, imagination, inspiration, intelligence, kind, skillful, spirit, tender, understanding, and wisdom.
In our first lesson from Deuteronomy, Moses uses this word in a warning, when he says, “But if your heart turns away… and [you] are led away to other gods… you will perish.”
This reading is the last sermon preached by Moses. Long before this, God told Moses that he would never enter Canaan. In fact, Deuteronomy ends with the death of Moses.
So, Moses knows this is his farewell speech. A time to look into his heart and reflect on his past. Moses knew that life can be surprising. That even when you screw up (like Moses did more than once), even when feel like you are dying inside, God can use that failure as a new beginning.
For Moses didn’t experience his spiritual calling when he was riding high as a prince of Egypt during his early years. His first holy encounter with God came when he had reached rock bottom.
Long before this reading, Moses had fled Egypt as a murderer. In a rage, he had killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave, one of his own kindred. Moses fought back against an evil oppressor.
As a result, Moses had to flee Egypt as a fugitive. Then, at the lowest point in his life, Moses experiences a holy epiphany. God revealed in a burning bush.
And in that moment, a spark ignites in his heart. From that day forward, even though Moses resisted God’s call, the LORD led him step by step to freedom for himself and for his people, without really knowing where they were going.
In a similar way, we know that following God with our whole heart can lead us on an unpredictable path with myriad options. As Moses says in our first lesson, life can bring blessings and curses, good and evil, prosperity and adversity.
It’s easy to read these verses as a threat or warning to those who fail to follow God’s commands. But I don’t think that’s the only thing that Moses meant.
Choosing life can also mean a change in perspective. Like deciding to approach each day with an open heart. And just as God guided the people of Israel on a 40-year journey based on a covenant with Moses, so our faith began with a similar commitment.
On the day of your baptism, you also entered into a covenant. A new grace-filled relationship that declared you to be a child of God. Your pastor poured water over your head with a spoken promise that touched your heart: “You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.”
With those words, God declared that each of us was fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s divine image. That God created you and loves you just as you are. No matter what others might say. No matter what mistakes you might make. No matter whether you feel worthy of that love.
Baptism was the beginning of a pilgrim journey for you and me. A journey with many twists and turns, that sometimes leads to unexpected challenges. A journey that can include painful losses, difficult days, and months of soul-searching.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is a South African clergy and theologian recognized for his work against apartheid and for human rights. Over the years people have asked Archbishop Tutu many thoughtful questions, such as:
“How can you be so hopeful after witnessing so much evil?”
“Why are you so sure goodness will triumph in the end?”—and
“How do you not lose heart?”
To those questions, Tutu offers his own philosophy for living a grace-filled life. He writes:
“We are made for goodness. We are made for love…. We are made for togetherness. We are made for all of the beautiful things that you and I know. We are made to tell the world that there are no outsiders. All are welcome: black, white, red, yellow, rich, poor, educated, not educated, male, female, gay, straight, all…. We all belong to this family, this human family, God's family.”[1]
Today, more than any other time in recent history, our world needs to hear this kind of message. That we humans are made for goodness and it is up to us to fulfill our destiny.
That because God has created us with souls and the capacity to choose between good and evil, between kindness and cruelty, between justice and oppression, between forgiveness and resentment, our faith can make a difference in our lives.
And that faith comes with a promise. That if we choose life, God will be with us. That if we treat one another with grace, our souls will be filled with a love that conquers hate.
That if, with our whole hearts, we seek as servants to follow in the steps of Moses and Jesus, then God will walk with us throughout our life journey.
That’s the same promise we find in the words of Psalm 119:
“Blessed are those who seek God with their whole heart.” Amen.
----------------------------------------------------
1 Tutu, Desmond; Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference (New York: HarperCollins, 2010).
+ + +
FIRST LESSON: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
[Moses said to the people:] “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you do not hear, but are led astray to bow down to other gods and serve them, I declare to you today that you shall perish; you shall not live long in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and holding fast to him; for that means life to you and length of days, so that you may live in the land that the Lord swore to give to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”
"The Good Wolf"
February 23, 2020
Based on Matthew 17:1-9 (reading follows the sermon)
This morning, I want to begin with a story that comes from the Native American tradition, first told by the Cherokee tribe. 1
You might have heard it before. It goes like this:
One evening, an elderly man told his young grandson a parable. He said, “My son, there’s a bitter battle that goes on within all of us. Within me. Within you. It’s a battle between two wolves.
“One is a bad wolf. A wolf always full of anger, envy, jealousy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, false pride, and ego. The other wolf is good. Filled with joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The good wolf and the bad wolf are constantly at war in each of our hearts, every day of our lives, from birth til death.”
The grandson sat in silence for a while, thinking about what his grandfather had told him. Then he asked, “But, Grandpa, which wolf wins?”
The old man simply replied, “The one that you feed.”
For the past few months, I’ve been meeting with a spiritual advisor. A spiritual advisor is someone who offers guidance for your faith journey.
For me, Peter is someone who carefully listens to my own challenges, questions and reflections. Someone I can talk with honestly.
Some people might think that pastors don’t need that kind of guidance, but let me tell you, we do. I know that I do.
For each of us—pastors and lay people alike—face pain, disappointments and conflicts during our lives.
You have an argument with a loved one or coworker.
You want to fix something you screwed up.
You can’t let go of what someone said or did, which makes you feel hurt or ashamed.
I don’t know about you, but for me when something is bothering me, I can’t stop thinking about it.
You know what it’s like. You keep mulling it over in your head. Letting it keep you awake at night.
So, when I met with Peter this week, I spoke with him about that struggle. And Peter shared with me this story about the good wolf and bad wolf.
A story that applies to all of us. For as we go about our lives, we can choose to feed (and listen to) the wolf that speaks inside our heads.
We can choose to feed the good wolf, and focus on the people and experiences that bring us feelings of love and serenity.
Or we can choose to feed the bad wolf. We can listen to words of self-criticism, or those who tell us that we are no-good.
Like politicians who dismiss as worthless anyone who disagrees with them.
Like Christians who condemn us because of our sexual orientation or gender identity.
Or like loved ones who continually point out your mistakes and weaknesses—sometimes gas-lighting to avoid dealing with their own painful reality.
I know this wolf story can sound simplistic. In many ways, it is.
But it’s also a way of shining a light on the thoughts that trouble our hearts.
Today is Transfiguration Sunday. The name comes from another story found in our Gospel reading from Matthew. The story of Jesus transfigured on a mountain.
The original Greek verb for “transfigure” is where we get the English word is “metamorphosis.” A word for making a major change in one’s form, character or circumstance. It means to transform.
Like a wiggly caterpillar changing into a delicate butterfly. Like a toy car transforming into a superhero robot. Like a transgender individual becoming what is their true inner self.
When you hear this story in Matthew, it’s easy to focus on how Jesus’ appearance was miraculously changed.
But I believe the real metamorphosis is how Jesus transformed the lives of those first disciples: Peter and James and John. A motley group of poor fishermen who became incredible preachers and prophets.
Following Jesus changed the way they looked at themselves and the world. In Jesus they found hope in an oppressive empire. Light to brighten their darkened souls. Faith that overcame their self-doubts.
Today’s Gospel lesson also ties back to another transfiguration story—the story in our first lesson from Exodus about Moses receiving God’s commandments on Mt. Sinai.
There, Moses talks privately with God. A holy, intimate conversation.
When Moses comes down from the mountain, his face is glowing so brightly that he has to cover his head with a veil.
Just like the face of Jesus “shone like the sun”—a detail found only in Matthew’s Gospel and meant to remind the early Christians (who were Jews) of the story of Moses.
With both Moses and Jesus, their shining faces reflect their inner spirituality. They didn’t need a spiritual advisor to reveal that.
The goodness of God shining from within. The good wolf speaking from their hearts.
The same is true for us, here and now. For each of us needs to remind ourselves—every day of our lives—that, no matter what, God’s love still shines and dwells in our hearts.
That even when you have a really crappy day, you can still listen to your good wolf’s voice.
You can stop and hear the same words spoken by God to Jesus out of the bright cloud. Words are also directed to you: “You are my beloved child.”
“Beloved.” In Greek, it’s the same word some theologians use for God’s love: agape. Agape is love that is open and welcoming. Undeserved and forgiving. Compassionate and kind. A free gift from God.
Agape speaks the same grace-filled words to you and me, that God said to Jesus: “I’m pleased with you. I’m proud of you. Listen to how much I love you.”
When was the last time someone said something like that to you? When was the last time you really believed it?
Today, I encourage you to take those words to heart.
Let them fill your mind. Let your good wolf repeat them over and over and over again.
Let them push out the words of the bad wolf that are so easy to hear, and difficult to forget.
God’s love is so expansive that it creates within us a transforming epiphany, where we come to see that other people deserve the same kind of grace.
Where we can choose to approach life by thinking and believing and saying things that spread love and kindness.
And that’s what we as believers need to keep doing to feed the good wolf in us and in others.
We need to see the light of God reflecting on the faces of those who walk with us, down the mountain and through the dark shadows of this world.
Today, I pray that God’s love will open our eyes to the goodness around you and within you.
For that love is our metamorphosis.
And that love is where the transfiguring light of Jesus shines on you and on me, now and always. Amen.
----------------------------------
1 https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/TwoWolves-Cherokee.html
+ + +
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 17:1-9
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 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.”
You might have heard it before. It goes like this:
One evening, an elderly man told his young grandson a parable. He said, “My son, there’s a bitter battle that goes on within all of us. Within me. Within you. It’s a battle between two wolves.
“One is a bad wolf. A wolf always full of anger, envy, jealousy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, false pride, and ego. The other wolf is good. Filled with joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The good wolf and the bad wolf are constantly at war in each of our hearts, every day of our lives, from birth til death.”
The grandson sat in silence for a while, thinking about what his grandfather had told him. Then he asked, “But, Grandpa, which wolf wins?”
The old man simply replied, “The one that you feed.”
For the past few months, I’ve been meeting with a spiritual advisor. A spiritual advisor is someone who offers guidance for your faith journey.
For me, Peter is someone who carefully listens to my own challenges, questions and reflections. Someone I can talk with honestly.
Some people might think that pastors don’t need that kind of guidance, but let me tell you, we do. I know that I do.
For each of us—pastors and lay people alike—face pain, disappointments and conflicts during our lives.
You have an argument with a loved one or coworker.
You want to fix something you screwed up.
You can’t let go of what someone said or did, which makes you feel hurt or ashamed.
I don’t know about you, but for me when something is bothering me, I can’t stop thinking about it.
You know what it’s like. You keep mulling it over in your head. Letting it keep you awake at night.
So, when I met with Peter this week, I spoke with him about that struggle. And Peter shared with me this story about the good wolf and bad wolf.
A story that applies to all of us. For as we go about our lives, we can choose to feed (and listen to) the wolf that speaks inside our heads.
We can choose to feed the good wolf, and focus on the people and experiences that bring us feelings of love and serenity.
Or we can choose to feed the bad wolf. We can listen to words of self-criticism, or those who tell us that we are no-good.
Like politicians who dismiss as worthless anyone who disagrees with them.
Like Christians who condemn us because of our sexual orientation or gender identity.
Or like loved ones who continually point out your mistakes and weaknesses—sometimes gas-lighting to avoid dealing with their own painful reality.
I know this wolf story can sound simplistic. In many ways, it is.
But it’s also a way of shining a light on the thoughts that trouble our hearts.
Today is Transfiguration Sunday. The name comes from another story found in our Gospel reading from Matthew. The story of Jesus transfigured on a mountain.
The original Greek verb for “transfigure” is where we get the English word is “metamorphosis.” A word for making a major change in one’s form, character or circumstance. It means to transform.
Like a wiggly caterpillar changing into a delicate butterfly. Like a toy car transforming into a superhero robot. Like a transgender individual becoming what is their true inner self.
When you hear this story in Matthew, it’s easy to focus on how Jesus’ appearance was miraculously changed.
But I believe the real metamorphosis is how Jesus transformed the lives of those first disciples: Peter and James and John. A motley group of poor fishermen who became incredible preachers and prophets.
Following Jesus changed the way they looked at themselves and the world. In Jesus they found hope in an oppressive empire. Light to brighten their darkened souls. Faith that overcame their self-doubts.
Today’s Gospel lesson also ties back to another transfiguration story—the story in our first lesson from Exodus about Moses receiving God’s commandments on Mt. Sinai.
There, Moses talks privately with God. A holy, intimate conversation.
When Moses comes down from the mountain, his face is glowing so brightly that he has to cover his head with a veil.
Just like the face of Jesus “shone like the sun”—a detail found only in Matthew’s Gospel and meant to remind the early Christians (who were Jews) of the story of Moses.
With both Moses and Jesus, their shining faces reflect their inner spirituality. They didn’t need a spiritual advisor to reveal that.
The goodness of God shining from within. The good wolf speaking from their hearts.
The same is true for us, here and now. For each of us needs to remind ourselves—every day of our lives—that, no matter what, God’s love still shines and dwells in our hearts.
That even when you have a really crappy day, you can still listen to your good wolf’s voice.
You can stop and hear the same words spoken by God to Jesus out of the bright cloud. Words are also directed to you: “You are my beloved child.”
“Beloved.” In Greek, it’s the same word some theologians use for God’s love: agape. Agape is love that is open and welcoming. Undeserved and forgiving. Compassionate and kind. A free gift from God.
Agape speaks the same grace-filled words to you and me, that God said to Jesus: “I’m pleased with you. I’m proud of you. Listen to how much I love you.”
When was the last time someone said something like that to you? When was the last time you really believed it?
Today, I encourage you to take those words to heart.
Let them fill your mind. Let your good wolf repeat them over and over and over again.
Let them push out the words of the bad wolf that are so easy to hear, and difficult to forget.
God’s love is so expansive that it creates within us a transforming epiphany, where we come to see that other people deserve the same kind of grace.
Where we can choose to approach life by thinking and believing and saying things that spread love and kindness.
And that’s what we as believers need to keep doing to feed the good wolf in us and in others.
We need to see the light of God reflecting on the faces of those who walk with us, down the mountain and through the dark shadows of this world.
Today, I pray that God’s love will open our eyes to the goodness around you and within you.
For that love is our metamorphosis.
And that love is where the transfiguring light of Jesus shines on you and on me, now and always. Amen.
----------------------------------
1 https://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/TwoWolves-Cherokee.html
+ + +
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 17:1-9
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 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.”
