I find it hard to argue with another person’s experience. Peter, James, and John, we’re on the holy mountain with Jesus, when God’s radiance met their fragile humanity,  where vision and reality clashed. As described in II Peter, “It was not on tales, however cleverly concocted, that we relied when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming; rather with our own eyes we had witnessed his majesty. He was invested with honor and glory by God; there came to him from the sublime Presence a voice which said: ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, on whom my favor rest.’ We ourselves heard this voice when it came from heaven, for we were with him on the sacred mountain.”II Peter 1:16-18 REB

Words cannot fully encompass what we experience,  when touched by the ethereal and mystical presence of God.   Holy moments are life-changing. Having dwelt in the presence of the Holy One, our eyes are  opened to seeing the world in new ways. II Peter describes it, as “Shining like a lamp in a murky place, until day breaks and the morning star rises to illuminate your minds.”
II Peter 2:19 REB

Living in murky places, cause us to stumble along our way, leaving us unable to discern what is true and what is not. Dwelling in the murky place, can distort both our vision and decisions, making it easy to attach ourselves to people bent on evil instead of good. There we are vulnerable,  to being led in ways which diminish ourselves and others.

Light reveals what is hidden in the darkness. It restores a sense of what is true and what is not. Light leads the way, as paths emerge that were hidden from us before.

First century Christians, knew that light to be Jesus. They recognized his heart of compassion, as the heart of God. Early Christ followers saw in his life and ministry, the prophetic voice, calling the faithful, to live compassionate and caring lives.

For Peter, James, and John, the confirmation of who Jesus was, occurred on the mountaintop, when they heard the voice of God, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, on whom my favor rests.”

Throughout the centuries people have continued to witness, to an experience of the Holy, and dwelling in the presence of God. A Presence that touches our hearts, acknowledging that we are God’s children,  loved by God. And in being loved by God, are sent into the world, to live as Christ followers, witnesses of God’s truth . . . givers of love, compassion and mercy.