In this message, Pastor Eric reflects on the story of Jesus' transfiguration as the mother of all epiphanies--a moment where he dared to "shine forth" as he truly was. In some ways, the transfiguration can be seen as the story of Jesus' "coming out" moment as he shares with his closest disciples and friends his true identity, which he had not revealed up to that moment. It's also a moment where the voice of God reminds the disciples that Jesus is both a Beloved Child of God, and has a special calling.
The disciples don't understand, and even try to fit Jesus and this experience into a comfortable, familiar box. But the voice of God makes the proper response clear: "Listen to him." As in, "When Jesus tells you who he is and what this means, listen to him."
In this story, then, we hear about what happens when we allow ourselves to be fully claimed by God's love for us exactly as we are and to let that light shine, as well as a call for how to respond to others and honor them when they do the same, rather than forcing them back into our more comfortable boxes and definitions.
