The Gospel for FRIDAY, May 6, 2005
Luke 9:28-36
Now about eight days after this had been said, he took with him Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray. And it happened that, as he was praying, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became sparkling white. And suddenly there were two men talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they woke up and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what he was saying. As he was saying this, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’ And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen. -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
Anecdotal Evidence
There have been times in my life when I took "the easy way" and did not take the time or make the effort to deliberate, or especially to pray over, a decision I was about to undertake. This is not worrying or agonizing I'm discussing, just careful prayerful consideration.
Almost without fail, those times have had me licking my wounds after having made a bad call even though I wasn't under pressure. Jesus sets the example for us not only in spiritual matters, but in everyday affairs as well.
A Reflection
I'm still not certain that the gospel writers didn't have it in for Peter and his cohorts, in almost an inside-joke fashion. Perhaps it was a way to keep the second- and third-generation Christians of the time from idolizing the Apostles and elevating them to super-human status. [It has certainly worked for me!]
The message contained in this story, for me, is that Jesus acted in a measured, prayerful way. As Jesus the man, he realized that this trip into Jerusalem might well be his last. It probably doesn't matter whether as N.T. Wright asserts, the Transfiguration is pre-Easter historical fact, or as Marcus Borg asserts, it is post-Easter metaphorical history inserted by the early church. Jesus' decision to pursue what was clearly a path antithetical both to Rome and the Temple was a life-threatening event.
Who among us would not seek guidance from the Father and the Holy Spirit before embarking on such a journey?
A Collect
Almighty God, you reaffirmed Jesus prior to the consummation of His earthly ministry; help us to remember that your affirming power is always available to us in prayer. Amen.
4:59:31 PM 
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