Transfiguration
Sermon Preached by Reverend Tracey Gracey on Sunday, 2 March, 2025.
Transfiguration moments are those profound experiences where we encounter God in a way that changes us—where the presence of God becomes unmistakable, and we see more clearly who God is and who we are called to be. These moments are not just about personal revelation; they empower us for ministry and shape the way we live out our faith.
Moses’ transfiguration moment occurred on Mount Sinai when he stood in God’s presence to receive the commandments. As he came down from the mountain his physical transformation was evident which not only acknowledged his profound encounter with God, but it also marked a turning point in his leadership.
Before this moment, Moses had struggled with self-doubt. He questioned his ability to lead, often pleading with God to send someone else. But standing in God’s presence changed him. His time on the mountain shaped him for the challenges ahead—where he guided his people through the wilderness and continually called them back to faithfulness.
Elijah’s transfiguration moment came on Mount Horeb, but unlike Moses, his encounter with God did not come in fire or wind, but in a still, small voice. Elijah had just experienced great victory on Mount Carmel, where he called down fire from heaven, but soon after, he fled in fear, exhausted and discouraged.
God did not give Elijah a dramatic sign on the mountain but instead met him in quietness. This encounter was not just about revelation; it was about renewal. Elijah was reminded that God’s work was still unfolding and that he was not alone. His transfiguration moment prepared him to return to his prophetic ministry, not with displays of power, but with renewed trust in God’s presence and plan.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus’ Transfiguration is a crucial turning point in his ministry. He has been revealing God’s kingdom through teaching, healing, and miracles, but this moment signals a shift. Standing with Moses and Elijah, Jesus is revealed as the fulfilment of both the law [Moses] and the prophets [Elijah].
Jesus’ Transfiguration is not just about revealing who he is; it is about preparing his disciples to walk the difficult road to the cross with him.
For the disciples, their mountaintop experience is overwhelming; their transfiguration moment will come much later, but when it does, they will transform the world with stories of their Messiah—stories of healing, hope, and a love so powerful that it changes everything.
My first transfiguration moment occurred at St Michaels and All Angels Church in Bridgewater:
- When I was pregnant with my first child
- I returned to church to see if I wanted to get my child baptised
- I didn’t want to be there
- I was ready to reject my church experience.
- I distinctly remember saying to God, ‘Well, I’m here, God; I’m not going to be staying long, so if you have something to say, you better say quick!
- I didn’t hear any voices, but I did experience a change, a change of heart and an inner desire and peace to know more
- Peter Rodda [Associate priest at the time] his love of God was evident – it radiated in and through him
- The welcoming presence of the people were an encouragement and they enabled me to begin my journey up the mountain
- Along the way I met some amazing people, Jeff Oake, John Stephenson, Caroline Pearce, wonderful mentors who saw something in me, encouraged me, nurtured me, and taught me and it was because of these people that I became the children and youth minister which then led to studying, EFM, BTH and ordination training and ordination.
- Surreal worship experiences were also transfiguration moments; my confirmation, baptism of Erin & Adele, attending retreats, and becoming a retreat leader were all avenues that the church enabled me to grow in my faith and as a leader.
- Like everyone I’ve had my highs and my low moments.
- St Chad’s was an exciting time in my ministry; I loved being in a parish, working in teams, taking ‘what if’ and ‘maybe we could try’ suggestions and bringing them to fruition but in a totally different way from first perceived.
- My most transfiguring moments were in school chaplaincy, a rewarding role but very different to parish ministry as students and staff attended worship or were involved in faith practices under compulsion, which makes a big difference.
- A surreal moment at Walford
My transfiguration moments were not as surreal as Peter, James and John but looking back I can see how these moments have transformed my life and my relationship with God for I have found that I have a greater sense of the Divine’s presence and because of my faith I can approach my life situations differently.
I wonder what Transfiguration moments you have experienced in your life. Have you been transformed by listening to an opera or your favourite music or have you experienced God when making a life-changing decision, watching a beautiful sunset, receiving a hug from someone you love, or an apology received or given or when letting go of a damaging relationship.
We all have transfiguration moments; we can choose to ignore them as Peter tried to, or we can name them as they are. Your God moments that connect you to your God. God moments that give you a greater sense of the Divine’s presence in your life, God moments that allow you to approach your life situations differently.
The Transfiguration is not just about our personal encounters with God but an invitation for us to reflect on where God has spoken to us as a faith community.
Today, the story of the Transfiguration holds special meaning for us as it marks the start of our journey together—stepping into something new while holding onto the richness of our traditions and life-giving faith practices.
As the season of Lent begins this Wednesday, I invite us to remain on the mountain with Jesus—to pray, reflect, and take a wide-angle view of our parish’s faith journey to discern where God is leading us next.
I’d like us to stay with Moses to explore how God is calling us to be leaders in the town of Walkerville, even if, like Moses, we feel we are not capable of this role.
I’d like us to sit with Elijah and listen for God’s voice in the silence and I’d like us to hear and experience the words that were spoken to Peter, James and John ‘This is my Son, my chosen, listen to him’ and then to do what Peter did – to ask silly ‘what if’ questions, to walk with Jesus, to learn from Jesus and to model Jesus.
As we sit, look, pray, listen and discern on this mountain, I’m hoping our HOPE 25 initiative will be the springboard for us to discover how we will journey down the mountain and into our community empowered by God, ready to live out what we have seen, heard, discovered so that we can continue sharing stories of healing, hope and of a love so powerful that it transforms everything.
Amen