on prayer

 

Notes on the Gospel passage set for this coming Sunday, Luke 9.28-36:

‘Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.’

Mountains symbolize talking with God, in prayer. How does this image speak to you about prayer?

Light symbolizes union with God, our ability to know God affectively with our whole body. How do you pray with your body? And how have you (or others) become aware of prayer changing your body?

Cloud symbolizes mystery, the limits of our mind, of our ability to know God cognitively. Does the thought of ‘entering the cloud’ terrify you? Why, or why not?

Valleys symbolize obedience, trusting God in our daily lives. Is there something you find hard to trust God for? Is there someone you can talk to about it?

Image: a line drawing of a mountain, one side bathed in sunshine, the other overshadowed by cloud.