TRANSFIGURATION

READING:
Luke 9:28-36, 37-43a
 

How Do We Hear the Story?

Have you watched a good film or read an interesting book recently? And have you then tried to explain the essence of the story to someone else? When a story has a complex plot, it can be difficult to summarise. We often highlight the themes that resonated with us, the moments that moved us, or the parts we most related to. The same is true when we hear Bible stories in church.

Summarise the story

So how would you summarise today’s Gospel reading? Perhaps you noticed two distinct yet connected stories, each rich with meaning.

The first is the account of Jesus taking Peter, James, and John up a mountain, where he is transfigured—his face and clothes shining with glory. As they witness this extraordinary moment, Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets. This experience weaves their encounter with Jesus into the great tradition of their faith, affirming him as the fulfilment of both. Then, a voice from heaven declares, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”—echoing the words spoken at Jesus’ baptism.

The second part of the reading moves from glory to struggle. The next day, Jesus and his disciples descend from the mountain and find themselves among a crowd, where a desperate father pleads for his son to be healed. The disciples have tried but failed to cast out the demon. Jesus rebukes the unbelief around him, heals the boy, and restores him to health.

What Stands Out to You?

Just as when you tell someone about a film you’ve watched, different aspects of this Gospel reading may have drawn your attention. What would you emphasise?

The Theme of Journeying

Perhaps you were drawn to the idea of the faith journey—not just the physical journey up the mountain, but the disciples’ spiritual journey. The Transfiguration revealed Jesus’ true nature—not just a teacher or prophet, but the Son of God. In that moment, Peter, James, and John were drawn deeper into the mystery of faith, experiencing awe and wonder as they encountered the divine in a new way.

Maybe this story reminds you that faith is not about certainty or easy answers, but about being willing to step beyond our limited perspectives and glimpse a bigger picture. Have you ever had a moment that transformed your understanding of God, the world, or other people—when you suddenly saw things in a new light?

The Desire to Stay on the Mountaintop

You might have connected with Peter’s desire to stay on the mountain—to build shelters, to capture the moment, to hold onto the experience of divine closeness. It’s a very human instinct. We, too, long to hold onto the high points of faith, just as we might wish a wonderful holiday would never end.

But the Transfiguration highlights a tension between glory and suffering. Peter wanted to remain in the moment of radiance, but Jesus led them back down the mountain, towards Jerusalem and ultimately, the cross. We, too, might prefer to avoid the struggles of the world—perhaps even turning off the news or distancing ourselves from difficult realities. But true discipleship calls us to engage with the world, not escape from it.

The Call to Simply Be With Jesus

Maybe you were struck by the fact that Jesus does not ask the disciples to do anything—only to be present with him. Peter, always quick to act, wants to build something tangible in response to the experience. He seems to want to control and contain the holy moment, rather than simply being with Christ and allowing it to unfold.

This may resonate with our own experiences. Church life often makes us feel that we are constantly being asked to do more—to volunteer, to fill in the gaps, to be productive. But this passage reminds us that faith is not just about activity; it is also about learning to be present with God and with others.

The Failure of the Disciples

Perhaps you were drawn to the second half of the passage—the disciples’ inability to heal the boy. Despite witnessing the glory of Christ on the mountain, they struggled to translate that experience into real-life faith. Jesus’ frustration seems to reflect their lack of trust, their reliance on their own abilities rather than dependence on God.

This part of the story might resonate with us because we, too, know what it’s like to try and fail—to want to fix things but feel powerless. It reminds us that faith is not about competence, but about dependence on God.e

Living Out the Story

Whatever themes speak to you most, this passage offers an important reminder: we cannot always stay on the mountaintop. Christian discipleship means returning to the world’s struggles, carrying with us the light we have seen.

Like the disciples, we may seek security in spiritual highs, but true faith means embracing both the beauty and the pain of life. Faith is not an escape from suffering, but a way of living through it with hope.

The return to the valley reminds us that God’s presence is not confined to moments of revelation, but is also found in the everyday messiness of life. The challenge is to learn to see God’s glory not just in the spectacular, but in the ordinary.

Questions

So as you reflect on this passage, ask yourself:

• Where am I longing to stay on the mountaintop, rather than following Jesus into the realities of the world?
• How might I move from a faith that relies on doing to a faith that is about being with Christ?
• Where do I need to trust God more deeply, rather than depending on my own strength?

Let us not try to build tents around holy moments, but instead carry Christ’s presence into daily life—trusting that if we have the eyes of faith, we will see God’s glory everywhere.