In the Gospel today, after the lightning flashes and the changes are over with, Peter wants to do something, feels the need to do something, to mark the occasion. He suggests building booths for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, even though Moses and Elijah are already leaving. Peter wants to dwell there, extend the experience. But then a further experience happens, the cloud descends, "a voice" speaks, "This is my Son, the Chosen, listen to him!" and the cloud lifts and Jesus is there alone with Peter, John and James. And they leave, in silence, not talking about it. What is transfiguration?

We are being asked to look at this event that happened in Jesus' life, and wasn't reported or discussed at the time, and reflect on events in our lives that have changed us, although we didn't understand them or really know that we have been changed until much later. Are we stuck in the moment? Are we simply stuck in that blindingly bright lightning flash and unable to move forward?

My friend Alex took a long time to share with me this incident with the homeless woman. He is different now. He is no Bible-thumper, but in true Episcopal fashion, he is trying to live into the tension of the idea that something radical happened to him that day, or perhaps something radical didn't happen and his body simply "relaxed" after his good deed, to the point where whatever was wrong with him simply was expelled. Interestingly, he has found a small Episcopal Church that he attends fairly frequently now and volunteers in the soup kitchen a couple times a month. I believe he is always on the lookout for that woman. Nevertheless he has been transfigured.

Transfigurations happen to everyone. I know I have been transfigured by my presence here at St. Thomas'. I have been your seminarian for the past year, and will continue in that function/role until next May when I graduate from seminary. This past year has been filled with many formative wonders, on which I am still reflecting, praying and seeking enlightenment. I can tell you I am very much changed because of this past year, and I want to thank you for this experience. I will be transfigured again this coming year by continuing to work with all of you, transfigured in ways I cannot imagine, and I am excited and I am humbled. I'm not talking about the changes that are bound to come from my scheduled ordination to the transitional deaconate 7 months from now (in March), or the scheduled ordination to the priesthood a year from this September. I am referring to the day-to-day exchanges with all of you, the work we are doing here, all these seemingly small interactions can and do transfigure us...because we are doing God's work here. Not every transfiguration event happens like Alex's or the one witnessed by Peter, John and James. The small, every day experiences and encounters with each other, seeing the Christ in our neighbor, is transformative and leads to transfiguration.