The Transfiguration Second Sunday of Lent 2026
“Rise. Do not be afraid.”
Last Sunday we traveled through the desert and this Sunday we traveled to the top of the mountain.
Matthew 17: 1-9 Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
One would think now, the disciples get it. They talked with Moses and Elijah and then God spoke telling them “This is my Son of whom I am well pleased.” God. The God. The one, True God. People my God Goggles would have shattered, and my God pods would have been blown out of my ears! So we think, but what did Peter, James, and John do? Yes, they fell flat out on their faces. Do they become unshakable believers? They descend the mountain to a huge scene of dissension, squabbling, among the disciples about the inability to heal. Where is their Faith? Where is their belief?
Friends, I hate to break it to you but we disciples are still in the same situation. This dissension is still here with us today. Can we walk side by side Carrying our Crosses in solidarity as Christians for Christ? (Please check out Cross4Christ Lent idea from God and Julie.) My heart aches for our “perverse generation.” Thanks be to His son’s Passion, His Death on the Cross, and His unearned Forgiveness. We are a motley crew. Jesus knew, knows, and will continue to know with each generation our frailty. We are reconciled. Each night this paralyzed body is placed in bed with the whirring and beeping machines to keep me breathing on this side of heaven. I have asked, “Why? I am reading your Word every day, time and again, of miraculous healings, I witness modern day miraculous healings of cancer, broken bodies from freak accidents, and the blind regaining sight, and I watch redemption unfold in the smallest, most unlikely, demon infused addicted souls. Then something deeper and intimate touches my mind, heart, and soul. My God whispers, I love you and you are mine. The Creator of every single thing knows why each tear falls from my eye. He guards me from the evil one. I can not run (comic relief) from Him because He is everywhere. When the “Whys” creep in the ‘Why not me’ drowns out the pity party and my M.O. of this battle with ALS from the beginning in 2016 screams, ‘USE ME LORD UNTIL NOTHING IS LEFT, NOT MY WILL BUT YOURS BE DONE!’ My broken vessel becomes a rolling battle tank for God’s purpose not mine. I may be a Tranformer like Optimus Prime or a spectacle, who cares as long as I am Transfigured for God’s work.”
We have traveled two weeks together and 5 more until Easter. But disciples, Easter will be a challenge to continue to “empty, fill, and (allow God) to use us” as Mother Olga stated at the beginning of this Lenten Journey until our last earthly breath.
Sarah Anderson Alley
Sal the CROSS4CHRIST Gal
Quotes of the Day:
“Open the eyes of my Heart, Lord.” Michael W. Smith
“Get behind me, Satan!” Jesus
Lent Days 11 & 12
#11
You are 1 week through Lent and beginning week 2.
Celebrate! I know you are elbow deep cleaning your Lenten Garden.
What are your toughest weeds? (gossip, judgment of others and self, full of vengeance, spiritual numbness (where are you God?), or addictions (pick one of the many.)
What steps did you take towards God, our eternal home. (Fasting from sin, praying for others and self, reading the Word, helping others, saying no to temptations, etc.)
Set a goal for this week. Or goals!
#13
Mark 5:36 But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
I remember many years ago I read an article in Give Us This Day about how ordinary people can become saints. It literally blew my mind. I told my daughter and she said, “Yes, Mom, those are people in heaven.”
Fast forward to recently texting with someone who is on his Faith walk discussing the Bible and I blurted out (if you can even blurt on a text message,) “I want to be a saint.” I have been very lonely and longing for spiritual companionship. I am sure that this probably befuddled him.
This Lenten Journey has opened up that longing again. My mind, heart, and soul have had a reckoning. My companion has always been by my side.
What Leap of Faith do you need NOT FEAR, only BELIEVE?
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