6th Sunday After Epiphany

Trans means to change. Figuration means how one is seen or appears. Today we hear the story of Jesus revealing a new identity.

I have a few Trans friends, and they indulge my questions regularly. They have experienced change in ways I never have, and they are so happy about it.

The Transfiguration makes a lot more sense when we think about the Trans folks we know, and hearing this story through their point of view is an gift of enlightenment.

Share this story with your Trans friends, and read it yourself. Mark 9:2-9. It’s very short:

Jesus transformed

Mark 9 ² Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and brought them to the top of a very high mountain where they were alone. He was transformed in front of them, ³ and his clothes were amazingly bright, brighter than if they had been bleached white. ⁴ Elijah and Moses appeared and were talking with Jesus. ⁵ Peter reacted to all of this by saying to Jesus, “Rabbi, it’s good that we’re here. Let’s make three shrines—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶ He said this because he didn’t know how to respond, for the three of them were terrified.

⁷ Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice spoke from the cloud, “This is my Son, whom I dearly love. Listen to him!” ⁸ Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after the Human One had risen from the dead. 

So often society and social media tells us there is nothing but hate for queer folks in the Bible, and that is simply not true. Here is proof! This is a story of transformation. Jesus is given a new identity in this story – the Christ, the Messiah. “Christ” was never Jesus’ last name, it was always and simply the way he identified.

Just for fun