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<DIV><FONT size=4>The text then adds, by way of explanation, Peter did not know
what to say, for they were <EM>terrified.</EM> Well, yeah, that is
understandable — it could be a very frightening situation — but if you’re scared
and you don’t know what to say, <EM>keep your mouth shut</EM>. No one was really
expecting Peter to have really anything to add to a conversation between Elijah,
Moses and Jesus.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>But, Peter’s like, “Uh excuse me, uh Jesus…” — Peter is like
the George Costanza of first century Palestine...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://thehardestquestion.org/yeara/transfigurationgospel/"><FONT
size=4>http://thehardestquestion.org/yeara/transfigurationgospel/</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Russell Rathbun, 2011</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV><FONT size=4>
<DIV>As I am fond of saying, when reading the Bible do <STRONG>NOT</STRONG> get
distracted by the special effects. Do not try to explain them - or explain them
away. Do not diminish the reality of what happened / what the disciples
experienced by saying, "Oh well, that was then, and now we have modern science
and don't believe in such things." We have modern science and yet here we are in
church still talking about God - a reality that classic modern science totally
rejects.</DIV>
<DIV>Like special effects in movies, the special effects in the Bible testify to
a simple truth:</DIV>
<DIV><EM>There is more to be known about what is really real than the eye can
see.</EM></DIV>
<DIV>If you don't believe that try telling someone you love what is lovely about
them by only telling them what your eyes can see.</DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><A
href="http://www.holytextures.com/2011/02/matthew-17-1-9-year-a-epiphany-last-transfiguration-sunday-sermon.html"><FONT
size=4>http://www.holytextures.com/2011/02/matthew-17-1-9-year-a-epiphany-last-transfiguration-sunday-sermon.html</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>David Ewart, 2011</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Mountain top experiences are also to be left behind.
Notice how in the story Peter misses the point. He wants to build a shrine
to catch the moment. Of course that is a natural response because don’t we
want to capture the moment of our changed reality - take a picture and put it in
a scrap book - bottle it. But to cast them in stone, to protect them from
growing is the surest way of killing the dream. The story reminds us that there
are many transformational moments and the importance of them is to take us back
down from the mountain and live the inspiration.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Martin Luther King Jr. in his last speech, given the night
before he was killed, said this:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT size=4>Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got
some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been
to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long
life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want
to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked
over. And I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want
you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And
I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man.
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.georgehermanson.com/2008/02/mountain-top-ex.html">http://www.georgehermanson.com/2008/02/mountain-top-ex.html</A></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>George Hermanson, 2008</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=mainbody4><FONT size=4>The challenges are many as we too
witness once again the transformation of Jesus and the response of the
disciples. The dazzling reign of Jesus is one we can not afford to leave in
residence on the mountaintop or be placed in a booth on display. The moment of
transformation is one that invites us to new and meaningful encounters with God.
How can Jesus be revealed in our time? When we have been to the mountaintop, how
do we come down to ministry in the valleys as Jesus did, healing and teaching
beyond the moment of change?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=mainbody4><FONT size=4>Karen Georgia Thompson,
2011</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - -</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=mainbody4><FONT size=4>Allison's reflection seems to bring the
"otherness" of the Jesus of the Transfiguration onto our radar screen. When
asked, we say who we believe Jesus is, but we really couldn't bear such a bright
light if it were always there before us. And yet, when our own experience of
suffering and loss is brought under the shelter of Jesus' own life lived here,
as a man who also suffered and died, who was tempted and betrayed, then we can
go on, even "to Jerusalem" and everything that awaits us, everything we have to
face in our lives. We know, just as surely as we know that Jesus experienced
pain and loss, and rose again, that we too will share in that new life.</FONT>
</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=mainbody4><FONT size=4>Kate Huey, 2011</FONT><BR></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=mainbody4><A
href="http://www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/march-6-2011-last-sunday-1-1-1.html"><FONT
size=4>http://www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/march-6-2011-last-sunday-1-1-1.html</FONT></A></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=mainbody4><FONT size=4> - - - - -</FONT></DIV></SPAN>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>It's just so hard to conjure up wonder. As a parent, one of
the parental goals I have for myself is to raise two girls with a sense of
wonder. So, I take them to museums and cathedrals, and point out the intricacies
and nuances of what they're seeing. When I speak of God to them, I not only tell
them that Jesus is their friend and with them all the time (which is good), but
also that he made the sun, the moon and the stars. And manatee. And
flamingos.</FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.rmcmorley.com/a-garden-path/2011/02/last-epiphany-a-shining-like-fire.html">http://www.rmcmorley.com/a-garden-path/2011/02/last-epiphany-a-shining-like-fire.html</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Rick Moley, 2011</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></FONT></DIV>
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