I like Peter - Saint Peter, that is. Today’s Gospel reading is on the Transfiguration. Matthew, Mark and Luke all relate that as Jesus was praying on a mountain with Peter, James and John, his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white; Moses and Elijah appear, talking with him. Peter is his quintessential best - blurting out “It’s good that we’re here Jesus - we can built shelters for you!” As if they needed shelters. As if they needed Peter to build them! Mark (9:2-8) and Luke (9:28-36) point out that Peter didn’t know what to say - in other words, they show Peter as he really is, foot-in-mouth and all.
I generally am not much of a blurter, although I can have my moments. We all make mistakes, we all have our quirks and flaws. This “being perfect” and trying to follow God that I have been talking about during Lent is not intended to keep us from being ourselves.
While it is good to recognize our own imperfections it also is important to let other people know us, warts and all. The Gospel writers show their love for Peter by revealing his character, good and bad (maybe Peter even insisted that they do so). I need to learn to let other people know the real me, the one that is in need of transformation. If I do, they are going to have to forgive me once in a while! Yet, when I do the same for them, we suddenly become companions on this transformative journey to God.
Knowing and being known may even be essential for our transformation to take place. I think there may something about the vulnerability of being open to others that creates room in us for God to work, to make us more like Christ.
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