Do you remember when you first felt an "undeniable prompt" breaking through conscious thought that called you to pursue a goal or an activity, something out of the blue? And when we did hear and respond to the prompt were we aware that it was God's voice? The term "a calling" is common among clergy but we don’t necessarily consider that we’re called to a career or vocation or volunteering. But, why not? I raise this question because I think that this is part of the Transfiguration story (Luke 9:28b-36) that gets overlooked.  Let’s face it, we understandably focus on Jesus’ transformation, after all the blazing face, and dazzling white clothes are pretty awesome but they are distracting and get in the way of the Gospel's message for us. But I think that the event may also signal Peter's transformation and as our representative at the scene, a metaphor for ours.

Here we see Peter falling all over himself looking for something to do when a voice from heaven literally interrupts him, and in essence says, "Would you please shut up, and just listen to him!" In fairness to Peter, the whole experience is kind of terrifying as he falls to the ground, likely covering his ears and shielding his eyes. And then it's over... the voice, the light, the "saints" of the past...nothing is left except Jesus, who reaches out to Peter, James and John, and calms their fears, and asks them to get up.

 I suspect for a while everything seemed clear to Peter and made sense. But we know it didn't last very long. On the way down the mountain Jesus had to remind Peter of his impending death and destiny. But Peter struggles to listen, to follow, and once again he will fail. I know I would have also wondered minutes or hours later...was I dreaming? Did I imagine what just happened? Did I hit my head when I fell? Chances are Peter would look back on this day forever and recall those words, "listen to him!" If nothing else made sense, he would ask where did those words come from? Our egos need to interpret what we hear or know to keep our "understanding" within the confines of human experience, unwilling to acknowledge the active, constant presence of God in our lives. Why do we constantly have to translate for God?

Perhaps Peter's transformation begins when he repeatedly fails, falls, and is lifted up again and realizes that above and beyond everything else, he is called to listen. Isn’t this the pattern that shapes our lives? We try our best and sometimes succeed and sometimes fail. We have moments of lucid insight and moments of denial. We fall down in fear and are raised up again.

 We are called to listen, to discern God's will and in this way be transformed.  This story is as much about Peter and Jesus as it is about us. We are called  to listen for His voice in the subtle prompts that move our lives, however it may be "communicated." It's likely His voice will not be as dramatic as the One Peter heard on Mount Tabor but we will recognize it if we don't allow our egos to interpret it for us.

“There have been quite a few times when I have felt the winds of God’s grace in the sails of my small boat. Sometimes these graces have moved me in pleasant and sunlit directions. At other times the requested acts of love were born in the darkness of struggle and suffering. There have been spring times and there have been long cold winters of struggle for survival. God has come to me at times with the purest kindness, at times with the most affirming encouragement, and at other times with bold frightening challenges. I think that all of us have to watch and pray, to be ready to say “yes” when God’s language is concrete and his request is specific-“yes” in the sunlit spring times and “yes’ in the darkness of winter nights.” (John Powell, S.J., The Christian Vision, The Truth That Sets Us Free, p147)