Yesterday was Transfiguration day in the Christian church. It is the Sunday when we read the story of Jesus leading Peter, James and John to a mountain where Jesus’ face is seen glowing like the sun. The story goes that they are then joined by Moses and Elijah and from a cloud the voice of the Holy One speaks: “This is my child, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”

After this dramatic experience, Jesus goes on to tell those with him to tell no one about what had happened. Peter, being his ever exuberant self, had wanted to build houses for them all to live in this shiny, heavenly mountain top experience but he is stopped in his tracks by the voice of God. So, we have Jesus telling everyone to keep what happened on the down-low and Peter ready to bust his buttons to tell everyone what happened. And then there is that glowing part. It is difficult to make sense of this story in our 21st century minds.

Oddly enough, we did not even read this scripture in the worship service I was in yesterday. We had a guest, Dara Molloy, a Celtic priest from the Aran Islands of  Ireland and that had not been his scripture choice. Instead he had chosen Jesus parable about new wine and new wine-skins. The whole service was woven throughout with Celtic music and a sense of the Spirit was palpable. In Celtic fashion, we affirmed that we arise everyday in the Presence of the Sacred as we echoed the words of St. Patrick. We heard poetry that challenged us to be the new wine talked of in the scripture story and we were surrounded by prayers that were deep and rich. Our voices joined in song in a way that was both beautiful and bold.

At some point of the service, I allowed my eyes to look around our circle.That’s when I noticed it: Glowing! The faces around the circle were glowing. No cloud had moved in but still the faces I know so well and those who were new to me all had a shining countenance. I felt myself take a breath so deep I knew I was breathing with the Spirit that moved among us. It was a powerful moment.

I can’t say what happened in the scripture account of Jesus on the mountain. But I do know what happened yesterday and I guess some might call it a ‘transfiguration’. One definition of the word is ‘the sudden emanation of radiance’.

Yes. That’s what I saw. And while I know it is impossible to build my house in that kind of mountain top experience, I do believe I heard a voice saying something about being pleased and being beloved.