Wow! What an incredible and dramatic story. A voice that comes out of the heavens, only when there is something really important to be said, we hear that voice say, “This is my beloved son, listen to him.” This is one of those bible stories that feels, sometimes far removed from our day to day lives. Far removed from what you and I experience as we make our way through life. Or is it? Let’s look at the end of the story.

Jesus is there alone and prior to that he is surrounded by Elijah and Moses, both were prophets who helped others live as the children of God. Today we might think about those people in our lives, who have taught us, and teach us still, how to live as the children of God. Teachers, family members, friends, neighbors. Who might you add to that list?

The transfiguration today reminds us, however, that Jesus isn’t just one voice among many, he’s not just another voice that surrounds us. He is the voice that every other voice must be measured against. His voice speaks for God in a perfect way. So then, maybe this story isn’t so far removed from us as not to matter. As we make our way through life, as we journey the path of discipleship, we do so arm in arm if you will, helping one another, loving one another, guiding each other, and being examples of encouragement to one another.

We do our best to bring a little bit of God to one another but in the end the voice that we must listen to most attentively is the voice of Jesus. The gospel tells us clearly, why we should pay attention. God spoke, and God’s voice, from that cloud, clearly said, “This is my beloved son, listen to him.”