Exodus 34; 29-end, Luke 9: 28-36

Whoever decided on the lectionary readings for the year was, I felt inspired to include the account of Jesus’ miraculous transfiguration for this the Sunday before Lent. To me it is the sort of uplifting spiritual   treat similar in its way to the culinary treat of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday before we enter the sombre and reflective time of Lent. A sombre and reflective time if you choose to observe it as it was intended before once more we come into the glorious dark shedding dawn of Easter Day when we know that Christ has conquered death and sin and is truly our Saviour, our Redeemer, the perpetual Light which shines in the darkness and which nothing can overcome.

It is, I think, hard for us to imagine just what  a totally awe inspiring moment that  was for those three simple  men as they witnessed  Jesus, the human who had called them to follow him being transfigured  into Christ the divine who calls all humans both to follow him and to reflect his light in the world Reading Luke’s words I think we can recognise that what they saw that day was in truth beyond description as Jesus’s simple homespun clothes were transformed into an  eye dazzling white and his whole facial appearance literally transfigured. How could such a unique event ever be fully and perfectly described and yet we are told enough to recognise for ourselves that this was truly the moment when the humanity of Jesus met with the divinity of Christ. When this transfiguration indeed confirmed that here was the Word made flesh, the ‘true light which lightens everyone.’ (John 1: 6), And just in case the visual transfiguration was not enough proof we have the voice from heaven: ‘This is my son, my Chosen, listen to him,’ God Himself confirming that he had indeed chosen to send his Son to live among us and teach us something of the wonder of God’s love for us his children which brings light to the world.

And of course, our first reading tells a similar sort of story as Moses was also shown and reflected something of that miraculous light when he met with God himself on Mount Sinai. Moses who came down from that encounter with the skin of his face shining. No wonder Aaron and the Israelites were afraid. Just what or who was this God they were called to worship who could transform and light up the face of their leader in such a way?

But now we come to what I consider the strange part of the Exodus account namely why after each encounter with God Moses, with shining face, recounted the words of God spoken to him to the Israelites and then kept his face veiled until the next divine ‘meet up’? Now there are it would seem from my limited research a number of explanations for this which I would have to detail if this was a seriously academic theological essay which quite definitely it is not.  But none of them I felt quite answered the question for me personally. But what did seem to me a possible answer was that in veiling his face Moses was in effect encouraging the Israelites to go and discover God for themselves face to face so that they too could, as he did, reflect the glorious light of such an encounter. While his glowing countenance was visible his fellow Israelites would I think be more likely to be looking at him and not seeking the reality of God for themselves. There would be a very real danger that an unveiled Moses could in effect become in a sense a cult figure or an idol of worship like the golden calf that those same Israelites so foolishly and unwisely constructed.

And here I am reminded of that beautiful blessing from the Book of Numbers: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace.’ We need, indeed we are surely called, to seek the face of God for ourselves and be blessed as Moses was, as those three disciples with the light of his countenance.    Perhaps that should be at the heart of our Lenten journey as much as any repentance and fasting that we make undertake.  Seeking a very real intimation of the presence of God in our lives, the presence of his glory, his Light in the world. And in that seeking and finding then surely like Moses our countenances will reflect that light to others and fulfil our baptismal promise to shine as a light in the world.  St Francis who surely knew the wonder of Lord’s face shining upon him wrote this beautiful prayer: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, let there be joy in my heart and on my face. Let nothing steal it from my soul. Remind me always and let the world know from my example that true joy and good cheer, not a woeful countenance, are the gifts you give to those who live in your presence. Bless and keep all your children in good cheer, catch us in your joy.’

And I think in seeking that light of God’s countenance we too like Moses and those three disciples must see it as an upward journey not in the physical sense as theirs was but a spiritual one.  An upward journey which takes us away from all the material things of life which can take such a hold on us and can indeed, if we are not careful, become sacred idols which all too easily claim and misdirect our attention. An upward journey whose purpose is to look towards God, to search out his countenance and not remain earthbound by all those idols, those temptations, those demands which can so easily prevent the very real sense of joy St Francis spoke of   that we will find in such an encounter. The prayer which begins Common Worship’s   Morning Prayer I personally find such a daily encouragement in this seeking, this upward journey: ‘As we welcome the gift of this new day may the light of your countenance set our hearts on fire with love for you.’ And if this prayer is answered as it surely can be then like Moses, like Jesus we too will glow with a reflection of divine love and encourage others to search and find that life giving light and love.

I pray that all of us today will find true and uplifting  joy in finding our praise joining with that of heaven as we give glory to God and that  during our Lenten journey we  will set aside time to climb our own mountain in order  seek out  and find the light of God’s countenance upon us and thus be blessed with joy and the ability  to reflect his glory to others whom we meet on life’s journey.