Racial Justice Sunday
READING: Romans 8:18–25

This week in place of a Reflection we offer a summary of Sam Wells’ thoughts from the Sermon Preparation on the Gospel Reading for this Sunday which is the account of The Transfiguration from  Matthew 17 v1-9 

Liturgical Placement & Significance

• The Transfiguration is celebrated on the Sunday before Lent (and also on a feast day in August).
• It was set before Lent in the Revised Common Lectionary (~1970) because it acts as a “threshold” or bridge in the gospel narrative. It marks the turn from Jesus’ ministry in Galilee toward his journey to Jerusalem and the cross.
• It is considered one of the most theologically profound yet underrated motifs in the Gospels.

What Happens in the Transfiguration: Three Conversations

The event on the mountain is structured around three key conversations, revealing its deep meaning:

1. Conversation within the Trinity: The Father declares, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him.” This reveals the ongoing conversation within the Godhead (Father, Son) even during Jesus’ earthly life, challenging modalist views of God.
2. Conversation with the Old Testament: Jesus speaks with Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets), representing the entire Hebrew Bible. This shows Jesus in continuity and conversation with the whole of Scripture.
3. Conversation with the Disciples: Peter’s desire to “make three booths” is often seen as a “dumb disciple” moment, but it reflects a human impulse to contain or institutionalize a moment of divine revelation. Jesus’ response—touching them, telling them not to be afraid, and raising them up—encapsulates the gospel (Incarnation, Resurrection, Pentecost).

Theological & Pastoral Meaning

• Essence vs. Existence: The Transfiguration is a moment where eternal, divine “essence” breaks into our earthly “existence.” Jesus is the aperture or veil between the two, offering a glimpse of ultimate reality.
• A “Mountain-Top” Revelation: The mountain setting connects it to Sinai (Moses), Horeb (Elijah), the Ascension, and the promised return of Christ. It is a definitive revelation of Jesus’ divine identity—a moment of “high Christology.”
• Central to Prayer: The Transfiguration provides a model for prayer that goes beyond simple intercession (“healing”) or solidarity (“being with”). It is a prayer of transcendence—seeing beyond present suffering to a transformed perspective where God’s glory is revealed even in difficulty.
• A Rich Preaching Text: While it’s tempting to reduce it to ethical takeaways, the passage is fundamentally about who Jesus is. It contains the whole gospel and offers endless thematic material (e.g., the nature of listening, prayer, revelation, and discipleship).

Key Takeaways

• The Transfiguration is a pivotal, luminous moment revealing Jesus’ divine nature and his fulfillment of Scripture.
• It is a theological treasure trove touching on the Trinity, Christology, and biblical continuity.
• Pastorally, it inspires a form of prayer that seeks transcendent perspective and transformation in the midst of life’s journey, not just resolution or endurance.
• The discussant argues it deserves greater prominence in the church’s devotional and liturgical life. 

Image: “The Transfiguration of Christ” by Giovanni Bellini