Grateful for the opportunities via the Internet. Not only meeting local pastors online, but friends and family far and wide. It´s become a welcome common room even as the market plain, church quadrangle, tea garden and public space are currently out of bounds. Of course, it is a contested area. Photobombs have been a nuisance for some time, as have loudmouths and odd balls. Homer and Cicero had their struggles with these interferences cut out. Luther complained about them too.

No small wonder, our good Lord went off into the wilds, into the dark and onto mountaintops to find some solace there, praying to the Father in perfect harmony and in holy unison with the Holy Spirit – one God now and always. Even out there in the desert, temptation was rife with Satan trying his luck and the body hungry after weeks of fasting and depravation. That´s part of the way to go. Even in this high festive season of the Epiphany, where we recall the true witness of our great God´s wonderful glory shining brightly in Jesus´ mission, we know, He is not finished yet. There´s still ways to go. Just as the burning bush was only a vantage point for Moses on his quest to free Israel from Egypt, so too the transfiguration of our Lord is but a station for Him on His way to Golgotha.

Reaching the lofty heights of His transfiguration on the holy mountain – high up in the heavens – with godly apostles and inspired prophets – it is not yet time to settle down, although it´s such a perfect spot to be. There´s still ways to go. So, the Lord points his most highly gifted disciples – those true witnesses (2.Pt.1,16-21) – back down into the valley, the lowlands, the dark and dreary swamps of misery – to get on with the godly mission as long as it is day and before the night comes, where nobody can work.

It´s still time to proclaim the Lord´s grace and mercy, His love and forgiveness, His light and salvation to those sitting in darkness and shadow of death, so that they too might join the faithful band of saved sinners (heavenly treasures in earthern vessels 2.Cor.4,6-10), who are eagerly awaiting the return of their Lord and God to judge the living and the dead, to fulfill all and return them home to the heavenly realms, that He has prepared for all those, who fear Him.

Together with the one holy Church we laud and magnify His name, who was, who is and shall be – now and always +  

The Lord reigns.
Let the earth be happy.
Let the many coastlands rejoice.
Dark clouds surround him; equity and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him; on every side it burns up his enemies.
His lightning bolts light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of the whole earth.
The sky declares his justice, and all the nations see his splendor.
All who worship idols are ashamed, those who boast about worthless idols.
All the gods bow down before him.
Zion hears and rejoices,
the towns of Judah are happy, because of your judgments, O Lord.
For you, O Lord, are the Most High over the whole earth;
you are elevated high above all gods.
You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He protects the lives of his faithful followers;
he delivers them from the power of the wicked.
The godly bask in the light;
the morally upright experience joy.
You godly ones, rejoice in the Lord.
Give thanks to his holy name.

Psalm 97