Transfigured.

a poem around The Transfiguration, found in Mark 9:2-8, and a prayer.

The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.

Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him.

He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that He may invite His children: "Come to Me, My people!"

Isaiah 50:1-5

Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves.

And He was transfigured before them, and His clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.

And there appeared also to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

(He did not know what to say, for they were astounded.)

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a Voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to Him!"

Suddenly, when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more- but only Jesus.

Mark 9:2-8

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It is Good to be here!
(Henei ma tov!)
Seeing You,
As You Are-
In Your Light 
I see Light!
And in the Light
All things are seen,
All things are revealed,
to be Good, just like
In The Beginnings-
When your Light touches
Transfigures
Unveils
The beauty of all Your
Newly-created Creation-
So here, all we can say
Is only a mere echo
Of that ancient
Divine Declaration-
“Tov, Tov- Tov Meod!”

Here with You on this hill
I remember again that
You are God of the Hills:
Of all hills and mountains-
from Sinai-Horeb
To Carmel and Nebo,
To Calvary and Olives-
And I (like the Philistines) 
Wonder (but now see)
That you are still God
Even In the valleys
(Here with me)-
So as I wait even
In the shadows of death’s valleys,
I trust in Your Goodness
Chasing me to wherever i dwell-
That Your Presence is always found
Wherever i decide to make my bed- 
From all my valleys, dark and deep,
I will lift my eyes to the hills
For where else could my help
Ever come from?

And in this moment
(When i finally lift my eyes
To this now-Holy Hill)
All I can see is Jesus,
The Holy One Who Sees
(Like Hagar testifies truly)
Is lovingly looking at me…
Transfigured in my sight-
Incarnate God inviting:
“Look and be radiant-
For out of Zion's hills
Salvation has come!” 
And with the Voice
That spoke Light into being
You name me ‘Beloved’-
Just as moments ago
You were spoken to
And named with
The Same Name.
Out of Shekinah’s Glory-Cloud
And Heavenly Uncreated Light.


“It is always good
to be with you!”-
You say to me-
“For behold I AM
In your midst
Always and forever-
Because, child,
I delight in thee:
As i did in The Beginning
I do in the Eternal-Now 
And always will, unceasingly.
No temple is needed
Because I have made
My Tabernacle in you,
And you have been
Transfigured
Into that which you
Were created to be-
A perfect Temple tenderly
Built by My Hands.
Yes, This Is So Good.
Now, Peter, be at peace-
Look around and see!
The Rock of your Salvation
Is smiling and abiding
And declaring that you too
Are so loved, so good-
And if you could look
At yourself, you would see
That you are also beautifully
Glowing, shining like Me-
For I make all things new,
And as you gaze on Me
I transfigure you:
Restoring in you
The Image of Me.

But just wait until you see
The power of Cruciformity-
The true radiance of
the King of Glory-
when I will soon shine
(Brighter than the sun)
Blazing forth as I rise
On Golgotha’s Tree-
In humility and mercy
Transfiguring all things
And conquering all death
With the Fire of My Love,
My Resurrection flooding
All creation with Life.”

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Oh Son of God, Beloved Christ,

Your Love has changed me

Your Body and Blood, Sacraments

Glowing, purifying become burning coals-

Holy to wholly transfigure me

To nourish me and make me

Once again look like You

For the Light of Your Presence

Has forever changed me

And the Fire of Your Divine Eros

Has utterly consumed me:

May i ever delight

In Your Delight,

For it is truly Good

for me to be

here with You.

(Inspired by the Pre-Communion Prayer of the Divine Liturgy)

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