Newsletter Thoughts February 28, 2025

Dear Friends,

This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday, a day to remember Jesus taking three of his

disciples up on a mountain. Here he had a short meeting with Moses and Elijah, while

the disciples looked on. Here also, God, spoke from the cloud, praised Jesus while also

instructing them (and us) to “listen to him.”

This mountaintop meeting is a highlight of Jesus’ ministry and marks the beginning his

journey towards Jerusalem, and death. For us, it indicates that Ash Wednesday is just

around the corner to be followed by our own journeys to the events of Holy Week. Jesus knew that his journey to Jerusalem was dangerous. He knew that his words and deeds had angered many in power. Even his disciples expressed fear of what was to come. But he still went.

Right now, many of us are concerned about things that are outside of our control. This

might be a concern that is replicated throughout the ages… since few of us actually

have power over what happens in the world. But this does not mean that we are

powerless. As a community of faith, that is part of a larger (worldwide) community of

faith, we have power that, when harnessed, can change the world. It was this power

that birthed the church… that’s a Pentecost story!

Meanwhile, what do we do when we see people being hurt all around us? When we

cannot, as people of faith, agree on what is the right thing to do? What can we do when

we watch the news, or cannot bear to watch the news?

First we grieve, then we take some instruction from Sunday’s gospel. “Listen to him.”

Listen to Jesus? When we have so much uncertainty? When people are losing their

jobs? When our neighbors are attacked not for what they’ve done, but for who they are?

What do we do?

“Listen to him.” Listen to Jesus who tells us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

In listening we remember that we are loved and that we are capable. In listening, we

figure out the best ways to love our neighbors… those who are scared, those who are

hurting, those who are afraid, and even those who think all is fine. This sounds

simplistic, but it’s not. It’s actually quite hard to do. My faith tells me, Jesus tells me, that

this is what we need to do to get through these difficult days.

So, my friends, how are you, and how can we, be more intentional in loving our

neighbors? This is our strength so let’s use it. I would love to hear from you, and I look

forward to seeing you on Wednesday.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Nancy