With a little bit of luck, it is possible to have the gospel of the Transfiguration of Jesus three times in one year. The first time would be today, on the last Sunday before Lent. The second time would be the week after next; the second Sunday in lent, and the third time would be on August the fifth, which is the feast of the Transfiguration.

It is obviously a very important story, and those who choose the readings must want us to pay careful attention to it. It is recorded by Matthew, Mark and Luke. Today we hear Luke’s version.

Jesus took Peter and James and John with him up on a mountain to pray. In the Bible, to go up on a mountain to pray really means that you are going to meet with God. In the Old Testament, Moses went up Mount Sinai to meet God and to receive the Ten Commandments. So we know that Jesus is taking Peter, James and John to be witnesses of his meeting with God.

While they are on the mountain, praying, the appearance of Jesus’ face is changed, his clothes become dazzling white and Moses and Elijah appear with him. They appear in glory, and glory means that God is here.

According to Luke, even though Peter and James and John were sleepy, they managed to stay awake to see the glory of God. Peter wanted to keep the vision for ever, so he suggested making houses for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.

But the glory did not stay for ever, you cannot hold on to an experience of God. It is a blessing that appears and then moves on. Peter did not know what he was saying – you can’t keep God in a house.

And at last the terrifying cloud surrounded them and they heard the voice of God saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”

That was it; they were alone with Jesus on the mountain.

Now St Paul knew the story and he knew the story of Moses climbing Mt Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments from God and he compares one with the other. Paul wants us to understand that God showed his glory in the face of Moses and in the old covenant of the Law. But firstly the people of Israel had a veil over their minds and couldn’t see properly, and secondly, the glory of Moses face faded away and the people forgot and turned away from the law and away from God. To put it another way, Moses tried to keep the glory of God sealed up in the law. He was like Peter who anted to keep the glory of God in a house. You can’t do it. The priests tried to keep God in a temple in Jerusalem, but you can’t imprison God in any kind of building.

When Paul talks about the transfiguration of Jesus he says that the glory of God is in the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord. Jesus said that the Spirit of God is like the wind, blowing where it wants to. No one can know where it comes from and no one knows where it goes. You can’t hold the Spirit still, even in Jesus. The transfiguration was like a flash of lightning on top of the mountain, dazzling, sudden and terrifying.

So what’s the point? The point is that the glory of God changes the people who see it. Moses was changed for ever by his experience on Mt Sinai; Peter and James and John were changed for ever by the transfiguration; and the God’s people today are changed by the same Spirit, which is God at work in the world.

St Paul says that even if, from time to time, we catch a glimpse of the glory of God in a mirror, then we are gradually changed to be more and more like the image of God. The Holy Spirit is at work in each one of us, gently, patiently, wonderfully; setting us free from our pain, our distractions and our fears to make us more like the people wants us to be.

Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday, in three days time, is a time of the year when Christians deliberately open themselves to the Holy Spirit.

The first thing to do is to give ourselves time and space to experience God. Jesus went up on the mountain. He left the crowds behind and found a place where he would not be disturbed. We could do the same. Try getting rid of a few distractions; cut down your social events; don’t spend too much time at work; find yourself a place away from the television, the computer and the telephone. The church calls this fasting. Fasting does not always mean giving up food, it means making time for God.

The next thing we can do is spend that time in prayer. Take the time to be quiet and listen to the beating of your heart. Read a chapter of the Gospel, slowly and gently, letting the spirit touch you. If you wish, gently sing a Taizé chant or a chorus. You may like to meet with someone to pray together; Jesus took with him Peter and James and John; you might like to find a prayer partner, or even join a Lenten study group and pray with them. To pray is to meet with God, and to meet with God is to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Finally, we can allow the Holy Spirit to direct us. St Paul says that we should act with great boldness because of the wonderful hope that we have. For us this might mean getting up the courage to talk to a newcomer, or to visit someone who looks in need of a visit. Look around and see who is not here – perhaps it is you who can visit them and encourage them. May be the Spirit is calling us to give money to ABM or some other charity, or to give some time to the Op Shop or the Friendship Group or the Children’s Ministry.

One thing I do urge you, do not harden your minds, like the children of Israel of whom Paul speaks. Be open to the Spirit of God, be aware of God’s glory at work in you, and know that in Christ there is freedom, hope, courage and love to make us shine as lights in the world, to God’s glory and the welfare of his people.