'“Seeing God Here and Now”

“There are many moments recorded in Scripture when the disciples were at a loss for words, or when their words were utterly inadequate. Faced with some wonderful revelation of God’s glory, their tongues were tied. And since the description of these revelations in Scripture comes from these same disciples, we must sadly acknowledge that we can never know fully what occurred. Since each of us would have wanted nothing more than to have been witnesses of Christ’s earthly ministry, we naturally feel deep regret at the lack. Yet God has provided for us a purpose. He does not want us to constantly look back at these events hundreds of years ago. These events are signs of sicknesses, we should evoke that same miraculous power today. Since Jesus revealed himself in glory on the mountaintop, we should look for all the reflections of God’s glory in the people around us. Since Jesus transformed people’s souls, turned hatred into love and bitterness into sweetness, we should strive for the same transformation in our own lives. When God reveals his glory here and now, we, too, are at a loss for words; but in our dumbness we understand better the events described in Scripture.”

St John Chrysostom, On Living Simply - The Golden Voice of John Chrysostom

eighth sunday after pentecost

Icon of the Holy Transfiguration