Epiphany
February 6, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:28-36

Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now 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. –Luke 9:28-32

I know what it is like to be weighed down with sleep. While reading a book, I may want to finish just to the end of the chapter but my eyes just will not stay open. I don’t know how many times I have turned on the 10:00 pm news only to wake up in the middle of one of the late shows having missed the weather forecast for the next day, my primary reason for watching. In neither case, my actions were not the result of lack of interest.

I do not think I have ever had that happen while waiting for the doctor to come and report outcomes for a loved one in the hospital. During those times, my whole body is engaged. In the Transfiguration, Jesus was fully engaged; his disciples were not. Their levels of commitment were different. Because the disciples did not give in to the weight of sleep, they caught a glimpse of God’s glory that, I have no doubt, transformed their lives forever.

How do we remain fully engaged in our faith journey? First, it is a good idea to take care of our physical and mental needs. We know the drill: eat right, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. We need to do the same thing with our souls. We need to nourish ourselves through study, keep faithful in worship, and most importantly of all, take time each day to rest in the Lord.

Prayer: God, when I fall short, as I surely will, of maintaining well the engagement of my soul, let your grace be present with me to give me a glimpse of your glory that will renew my faith strength. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.