Fr Paul reads from the Gospel of Mark (9: 2-13) in which Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, and there, when they were all alone, he was transfigured before them. Fr Paul says, as the time for the Passion approaches (the time of Jesus’ arrest, death and Resurrection), there is a real sense of foreboding among the disciples and this is growing. Jesus sustains them with this vivid experience of his divine nature. On the holy mountain they see him transformed. They see him transfigured. It was a real visual experience, though described in symbols familiar in the Bible, brilliant white clothes and more. Moses and Elijah are seen there because they also had experienced the vision of God on the holy mountain. For Moses ,this was at the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, for Elijah, in the cave on Mount Horeb. Fr Paul says we hear the disciples were frightened, confused and overcome at the awesome experience they have and, yet, they comforted in a way which made Peter want to stay there longer. The Voice from Heaven is an echo of the Voice at Jesus’ Baptism. There, however, it was addressed to Jesus, whereas here the Voice speaks to the disciples, proclaiming Jesus as an authorized teacher, the extension of that same divine voice.Fr Paul notes today’s Gospel Lesson – in the dark times that we experience in life, remember the divinity of Jesus and listen for what God’s message is.