Makes everyone a little uncomfortable......

It's the story of the Transfiguration.  Jesus goes up a mountain to pray, 3 disciples come along and the next thing you know, Elijah and Moses (both long, long dead) are standing next to a Jesus who is dazzling white, shining, maybe even 'other worldly.'

Peter is so taken aback that he starts babbling about building booths, presumably for the 3 figures before him, perhaps so that they can be worshipped......or given shelter.....or, frankly, only heaven knows what Peter was thinking.

Soon a cloud overshadows all the characters and a voice.....everyone just presumes it is God because who else speaks out of a cloud (Moses had this same experience).......declared "This is my Beloved.  My Chosen.  Listen to him."  Moses and Elijah disappear.

As quickly as it had begun, it was over.

I am thinking that Peter was fairly uncomfortable; James and John too.  Confused, bedazzled, frightened, unsure and most definitely uncomfortable.  But then, being in the presence of the Divine has that effect on people I am told.

Not that I have ever experienced 'the cloud' of God's presence nor heard a voice out of no where speak for the Divine. Entering into the mystery of God is anything but an everyday event. 

Uncomfortable seems a reasonable response.  

That or sheer terror.

Because in that moment the gap between the Divine and us is soooooo clear.

So I pray that everyone has some kind of encounter with the Divine today just because in that moment when we realize the enormity of God we also come to understand the dependence of humankind.

It is also when we realize that when this one says, "I am with you always" just how big a promise that truly is.