Listen

This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” Luke 9:35

Grace and peace to you on this summer Saturday afternoon. I am thankful that earlier heat has given way to more moderate temperatures. In early August many of us have the opportunity to get away before school starts up again. Those of you who are traveling are in my prayers, as are those who remain at home. Wherever you are, I invite you to receive each day as a gift. 

Tomorrow is the Feast of the Transfiguration, the day when the Church celebrates the fullness of God’s glory revealed in Jesus. The altar will be dressed in white, reflecting the dazzling white clothing of Jesus on the mountain on that day. 

In the passage in Luke, God confirms Jesus’ divinity and immediately commands those present, and us, to “listen to him.” Jesus is the one true Sacrament–the embodiment of God’s grace–given so that we may truly and fully live. “Listen to him.” 

Who or what do you listen to? What we give our time and attention to matters. What we read, listen to, and do shapes who we are and who we will be. In the Transfiguration, God is saying to us, now, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”  It is not a suggestion. 

So, how do you listen to Jesus?  Do you set aside time to be with Jesus? If you are struggling with how to listen, let me know. I’d love to talk about it with you.   

In the meantime, I’ll see you tomorrow as we gather to hear more about Jesus and the Transfiguration from our seminarian Lisa Work.

The Rev. Jenifer Gamber, Rector
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
saint-peters.org