Exodus II

Luke 9:28-36:

Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.

Blog:

Most people are familiar with what happened in the Book of Exodus with respect to Moses leading his people out of Egypt and through the Red Sea.  The parting of the Red Sea is probably one of the most widely discussed Miracles of the Old Testament.  But the Second Exodus is often overlooked.  At the Transfiguration of Jesus, we are privy to the Second Exodus – when Moses and Elijah appeared in Glory to Jesus in front of Saints Peter, John, and James to confirm with Jesus the plans for Exodus Part II in Jerusalem – that Jesus would die and rise again in order to “open wide” the Gates of Heaven for all who love Him.  What is striking about the Transfiguration is that the three Apostles had been overcome by sleep, but then became “fully awake”.  Isn’t that what happens to us?  We “overlook” God, who we are in Him, and what Jesus is doing in our lives – we fall a bit Spiritually-asleep.  God Calls us to do His Will by obeying His Commandments – and Jesus Eternally-echoes the Father’s Call to each and every one of us.  So, let’s get “fully Awake” in Christ as we continue to focus on the “3 feet in front of us” (like the U.S. Navy SEALs say) on the Mission that we’re all on together in this world.  By focusing on the simple things in life, God Promises to take care of the complex things.  And then, like the Israelites walking through the Red Sea with Moses and Aaron, we, too, can walk through the chasms in our life on our way Home to the Ultimate Promised Land with Jesus and all of the Saints.