Sunday 15th February, Sunday next before Lent (Quinquagesima)

Our main service Gospel reading this morning is Matthew’s account of Jesus’ transfiguration. In all three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) this marks the turning point in Jesus’ story from his ministry in Galilee to the journey to Jerusalem, to the cross and beyond. As such, it sits very well today as we prepare to begin the journey through Lent on Ash Wednesday.

The Christian journey is not a straight line – it has ups and downs, twists and turns, mountain top revelations and deep valleys of doubt. At times it’s important to have a point of reference, a reminder of where we have encountered God in the past which helps point us forwards.

The transfiguration is one of those experiences. Unlike the voice at Jesus’ baptism affirming him as the beloved Son, this voice is not for Jesus but for the disciples. The voice and vision combined reveal powerfully who Jesus is, a touchstone to help make sense of the difficult journey through Jesus’ passion.

Knowing that God has touched our lives in the past gives hope that he can, and will, do so again. We trust not in our own faith but in his faithfulness. The God of yesterday is also the God of today, and of tomorrow. We hold onto our past experiences not to try to return there, but as signposts to a future in which we will meet God more powerfully, more completely. There are more mountain tops on the other side of the valley.

Every blessing,

Roger.