Reflection for March 8 – Danielle Webber

 Today’s Passage from the Bible – Mark 9:1-13

And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.’

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. Then they asked him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ He said to them, ‘Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.’

Reflection: Danielle Webber

Peter, James, and John join Jesus on the mountain for a leadership development workshop. There Jesus is transfigured.  The disciples are terrified to look at him. Then, Elijah and Moses meet Jesus on the mountain, and God affirms that Jesus is his son. After Elijah and Moses leave, the disciples ask Jesus about Elijah because the rabbinical teachings say that Elijah will return at the end of the days.  Jesus explains that Elijah has already come.

This event should have revealed to the disciples that Jesus is God, but they are more confused than ever.  A lot of the time I am just as confused as the disciples. Why do sad and upsetting things happen to me? But in the midst of these sad and upsetting things, I see glimpses of God at work and my confusion is lessened.