Listen to Him
Here are some thoughts on this Sunday's gospel, sent to the people of St. Timothy today.
Looking at this gospel passage, I have lots of questions, don’t you? For one, in v. 28, after what sayings? You have to go back to earlier passages in chapter 9 for the answer to that.
It always seems like things happen when Jesus prays, especially in Luke. Jesus was praying after his baptism and he heard the voice of his Father tell him, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). Here Jesus is praying and he is transfigured. Again we have the Father’s voice at the conclusion saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” The earlier message was just for Jesus, while this one is for the disciples who were with Jesus.
Gospel: Luke 9:28-36
28Now 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.
Looking at this gospel passage, I have lots of questions, don’t you? For one, in v. 28, after what sayings? You have to go back to earlier passages in chapter 9 for the answer to that.
It always seems like things happen when Jesus prays, especially in Luke. Jesus was praying after his baptism and he heard the voice of his Father tell him, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). Here Jesus is praying and he is transfigured. Again we have the Father’s voice at the conclusion saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” The earlier message was just for Jesus, while this one is for the disciples who were with Jesus.
Another question I have is why people are always afraid when they encounter a divine being, whether it is an angel or God? The disciples weren’t exhibiting fear during Jesus’ transfiguration and that included Moses and Elijah, great heroes of the faith. However, they were “terrified” as they entered the cloud. This is where they encounter God the Father and his words to them concerning Jesus.
Do we ever find ourselves afraid to hear what God might say to us? What if it’s hard? What if I mess up? What if it’s something that will break my heart? It seems that it is hard for us to believe how good God is and how much God loves us and want s what’s best for us.
My big takeaway from this passage is the Father’s words, “listen to him!” (V. 35). I don’t think this just means all the words of Jesus in scripture, but especially those about following him, being his disciples, denying ourselves and taking up our crosses. Of course, the tricky part is clearing our minds of all the busyness that distracts us from really listening to Jesus so that we can follow him, doing as he leads us. This isn’t just for Sundays, but for every day of our lives.
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