Jesus’ ministry with the disciples was not an easy task. At this time of Jesus’ life his friends already knew that he was going to face death in Jerusalem. According to the text Peter, John and James did not get it. Jesus took them to the mountain to pray with him but instead they could not stay awake and they missed what was going on. In the gospel reading for today we see the transfiguration of Christ’s earthly presence and glory. Peter, John and James saw Jesus in glowing white and his face transfigured (verse 30). This life-changing event reminds us of the Exodus passage from the Old Testament when Moses was also transfigured in such a way (Exodus 34:29-35). God appeared to Jesus, Peter, John and James. When God spoke to them on top of the mountain through the cloud that covered them it was a terrifying experience. When God transforms us we sometimes get terrified because we do not understand the situation in our own human interpretation. This transforming event in our lives may not be as dramatic as this passage in Luke is, but we are spoken to by God at times in our lives and we need to learn to listen.

It is interesting to note that even after all the dramatic supernatural circumstances and life-changing events that occurred on the mountaintop with Jesus and the disciples, there were still people at the bottom of the mountain that were confused and in a sense “faithless.” Jesus refers to them as the “perverse generations.” Even his own disciples were sleeping when he needed them. Jesus said, “How much longer must I bear with you” (verse 41)? Jesus cast out a demon from a young boy whose father claimed that the disciples were unable to do so (verse 40). Despite their lack of faith, Jesus performs a miracle for them anyway. He did not turn them away. Transforming events cannot be recognized by everyone. Those of unsure faith can have a simple practical view of the power of God. The man in the passage just wanted his only son to be healed. He did not necessarily understand who Christ really was, but he needed help. Jesus blesses even people who don’t understand God’s work.

We are spiritual people. Jesus knows that being faithless and being afraid is the same thing. That is why Christ is sometimes is exasperated by people who cannot take a deeper view of their situation in a spiritual context. When have we allowed our faith to slip in our lives? When have we allowed fear to govern our lives instead of being the people that God intends us to be? Jesus takes great patience with us as people of “imperfect faith.” Maybe we all are guilty of being members of the “perverse generation.” None of us are perfect.

The “mountaintop experience” is a commonly described archetypical human event. Throughout the ages of humankind, people have described “mountaintop-like” experiences, where they claimed they have seen, heard or felt God’s presence. What are our mountaintop experiences? One does not have to climb a mountain literally to be transformed by God and to see his glory. We might be transformed by God when interacting with our children. We might see God’s glory in a person in need. We might experience God’s transfiguration through our conversations with others. We might see God’s glory as we care for our aging parents. We might hear God’s voice through his words. In our everyday experience we have a chance to be touched by God. We can be transfigured if we allow it. God’s countenance shines upon us like the bright appearance of Christ to the disciples.

I was born and raised in the Roman Catholic faith. While I was a senior in high school, a classmate of mine invited me to attend their United Methodist Youth Fellowship at a United Methodist Church in my hometown in the Philippines. I went, and at that time there were over one hundred youth in attendance. There was a very lively singing which I had not experienced before in my life. The pastor preached a very powerful sermon and I heard God speaking personally to me through the pastor’s words. After the service the pastor, Reverend Gaudencio Zarate, gave me a Bible, which became my first Bible. I was welcomed with open arms. People were very friendly and happy. I felt God’s presence throughout the event. I was moved and touched by the overall experience. I had never been to a fellowship like it in my life. I was overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving. That was one of my “mountaintop experiences” that I will never forget all my life. It changed my life. It was through that youth gathering where I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord and later I made my decision to follow Jesus and dedicated my life to serve him.

All new life is only possible through transfiguration. We cannot go to the next stage of life without “transforming events.” We have to allow ourselves to be changed in a positive way. It is not good for the world if Jesus remained on the mountaintop. Jesus must come down into the imperfect world which he does. He ignored Peter’s suggestion to build a mountain dwelling for them including Moses and Elijah on the mountaintop. Peter’s cry to commemorate the event by constructing a dwelling place was not a bad idea. But instead, Jesus suggested a better way. He rejected Peter’s idea because they could not remain in a perfect mountain dwelling without coming down into the imperfect world. Jesus came down to where the needs are. He helped the outcasts, hungry, sick, and the poor. He forgave his enemies and dined with the sinners.

The light of Christ is perfect but our circumstances are not. If we were in perfection already we would already be in heaven with the Lord. There would be no more death, illness, suffering, pain, war, poverty and hatred. Whenever we wonder why God allows the world to be imperfect we have to remember that the world is a substrate for the redemptive power of God. As what John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement once said, “We are moving toward perfection.” So never expect perfection in this imperfect world. But what Luke is trying to point out is that the transfiguration mystery will be nonsense if it was kept to themselves alone. It must be taken to the crowd so that transfiguration will come to those who were not present with them at the mountain to witness the transfiguration. We are here to take the mountaintop perfection into the valley of imperfection and try to make it work.

One of the clergy deployments is to be present with anyone whenever we can. In several occasions I happened to be the clergy available to be with a parishioner going through some tough times in life. A person was confronted by her own grief in life and in the midst of her sorrow she needed a safe space to feel her pain. It was natural for that individual to think of the church as a safe place. One day she came to church with a heavy heart to pray and to see one of the pastors. I was very fortunate that I was available to meet with the parishioner to pray, listen to her story and to provide her with a pastoral presence. As a pastor, I am called to represent Christ and to be a healing presence for people in their needs. I am blessed to be able to do what I do as a clergy and I thank God for my call to ministry. That parishioner was very grateful for the church and the time I spent with her. As Christians you too are called to bring transfiguration to someone in need. The message of transfiguration must be experienced here on earth. God’s transforming presence must shine to all. We are to be Jesus or the church for others. You do not need to be ordained to do what I do, but whatever skills and talents that God has entrusted you can be used to change someone’s life.

The people traveling to Haiti are bringing their own “mountaintop.” Those individuals who donated their time, service, talents of expertise and money are bringing a “piece of transfiguration” to the Haitian people. When we offer a cup of water to someone we are offering a piece of transfiguration. When we try to listen to someone in their troubles we can share with them a glimpse of the transfiguration. The boy that Jesus healed in this text was given a second chance to live. He received a piece of the transfiguration including his entire family. Some mountains are heavier than others. Some mountains are harder to move. The good news is that Jesus will come to us in our desperation. He will not hide his face from us. If we bring a piece of the mountaintop experience to others, they will be able to experience transfiguration themselves.

I believe that if someone experienced the Lord in their lives, there is no other way but to share. I cannot contain my joy of knowing God in my life through my participation at that youth gathering in 1984. When I met Christ in my life, I was on fire and eager to go out into the world. I was excited and inspired to tell everyone about the goodness of God and how my life was changed. But at the same time I was cautious with whom I should share my encounter with God. I told my family but not all of my older siblings bought the idea. My mother did not question my new found faith, but she was curious. In fact, she was the first in my family to become United Methodist. She joined my church. Some of my friends did not understand my decision to serve God. In spite of that, nothing could stop me to follow the Lord. Now most of my family members are United Methodists. One of my nieces graduated from a seminary and is now serving two United Methodist Churches in the Philippines. Thanks be to God!

In the text the disciples were portrayed as missing the point. They did not go out with excitement to share the wonderful news about the transfiguration (verse 36). They were also misunderstood by the crowd. The people did not believe them that they could perform God’s work. Jesus was disappointed with the disciples’ attitude. But he did not give up on them. Jesus was rejected, misunderstood, suffered and was nailed to a cross, but he followed the will of God to the end. He maintained his prayerful life and sought God’s guidance in his ministry. God’s voice says, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him” (verse 35)! God did not leave Jesus and the disciples alone to do the task. They were empowered to do God’s work. Through God’s grace, we too, will be equipped to accomplish Jesus’ work here on earth. God’s presence will accompany us to bring transfiguration in this hurting world.

Worship is not only within the four walls of the Chicago Temple. We are to take this worship to our homes, community, workplaces and in the world. When we go out from this sacred place we are called to bring our worshipful experience for others to know God. If we follow God’s command, our Lord will be glorified and his greatness and power will be revealed to all people. We have a powerful statement of faith that Jesus is the “Chosen Son of God.” Our challenge is to “listen to him!” Jesus died for you and me for the salvation of the world. May we heed the call to bring the transfiguration message below the mountain. Amen.