Sermon for The Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, 2025

“Arise,” says Jesus, “and be not afraid.” And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself. And then, He led them back down the mountain as though to say, “No, you can’t stay here. You have to face the future. I must suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed. And you must face that, Peter.” And Peter, and indeed, all the Disciples, believe it or not, failed yet again because when that Day did come, they all forsook Him and fled. Even James, even John, the beloved disciple, fled for a time. Even Peter, even after all this, for as you know, Peter denied Him three times. Sometimes, what lies before us is just too much; we’re just too frail, too feeble, too frightened. Yet Jesus never gives up, not on Peter, nor you, Beloved. Even as He came and comforted Peter on the mount of Transfiguration, so did He come back and restore Peter after His resurrection, giving him a threefold opportunity to confess his love for Jesus in place of his three denials. O, Beloved, He never gives up on His people. It’s because He loves you too much. Just think on that; wrap your mind around that fact: that Almighty God, the Creator and source of all things, the transfigured One, the One whose glory filled that mountain, is also filled with lovingkindness for you. He loves you, Beloved; He would—He did—give His life for you, so much does He love you. So hold this vision bright, and with it, especially, the words He speaks to you today: “This is My Body; this is My Blood, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Be not afraid.” And then, arise and come down the mountain, as it were, with this prayer on your lips, “Since Thou bidst us leave the mount, Come with us to the plain,” knowing that He will; He does. He will always be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. You are His, now, and unto all eternity. 

Readings:

• Old Testament: Exodus 34:29-35

• Epistle: 2 Peter 1:16-21

• Holy Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9

Sermon: