"He Was Praying... He Was Changed."

"I pray for my community of faith, Trinity United Church.   Guide us through these times of change and adaptation.  I ask for patience, gentleness, empathy, compassion, and tolerance.  I ask that we abstain from anger, anxiety, compulsive behaviour, discouragement, and shame.  I ask that we know and follow Jesus more intimately."

Luke 9:28-36

28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus^* took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. ³⁰Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. ³¹They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. ³²Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake,^* they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. ³³Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,^* one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. ³⁴While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. ³⁵Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen;^* listen to him!’ ³⁶When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

1)  "...to pray;" "...he was praying;" "...they appeared in glory;" "...in glory;" "...weighed down with sleep;" "...his glory;" "...it is good;" "...listen to him;" "...while he was praying;" "...changed;" "...in glory;" "...weighed down with sleep;" "...weighed down;" "...saw his glory;" "...good for us;" "...terrified as they entered the cloud;"

2) I know "weighed down with sleep."  That's when they see the transfiguration... while weighed down with sleep.  I sometimes really struggle to stay awake while in prayer in the early hours, especially while meditating... and the not so early hours.  In fact, meditating at noon is almost invariably an uncomfortable sitting nap!  But still, I do it because if I don't, I lose touch.  I know being "weighed down" by other things too.  Peter gets the message wrong by himself - not knowing what he said.  it isn't enough to see the change and witness the prophets.  We need to hear the message and choose the right course of action.  "listen to him."  What is Jesus saying?  Clearly, the three never did understand what Jesus, Moses and Elijah were talking about.  Given every opportunity, they still didn't get it.  And yet... this is the rock.  These disciples who don't know what they are saying will be the foundation of the church.

3) what is the invitation in all this?  Perhaps to be more gentle when folks "don't know what they are saying."  Jesus/God repeat the same thing to Peter, James and John over and over and over again and they don't get it until the resurrection, and even then, some of them are pretty slow on the uptake.  Why would we be any different?

"Holy One, teach me patience and trust."

Breathprayer: "He was praying... he was changed."