Artist Reflection: Transfiguration
by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman
Inspired by Mark 8:31-9:8

Hand-carved block printed with oil-based ink on paper I’m not a good listener. In the midst of our national reckoning around structural racism and white supremacy in the U.S., I’ve found that I’ve done a terrible job listening to my Black and Brown siblings. I constantly have to resist the urge to explain myself, to be seen as good and antiracist. I try saying all the right things, I do performative acts of allyship, and quite honestly, I need to be quiet and listen. I need to be ready to accept criticism, and instead of trying to prove anything, I need to gain awareness of my internalized biases and
learned racist tendencies and do the difficult work of unlearning them in every moment. “Get behind me, Satan” (Mark 8:33).

Here we find Peter stepping in and saying all the right things, rejecting the notion that Christ must suffer and die; but in the end, he’s not listening to Jesus. It seems Peter’s rejection of this narrative reflects his fear of the suffering he also might face in following Christ. “Let them deny themselves
and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).

Six days later, the disciples are called to listen once again. In this image, I zoomed out to focus on the moment of Transfiguration. Jesus shines like a beacon atop the high mountain while former prophets appear. The disciples are terrified, but also want to live this moment forever, making the glory-filled rock face their home. At once a cloud descends, obscuring things further, and God’s voice echoes down, “This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him!” (Mark 9:7). It’s almost as though Jesus had exhausted all efforts to get the disciples to listen, and God had to spectacularly reiterate the importance of listening. I think it’s important to note that following God’s words, all the disciples could see was Jesus.
—Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman

Lenten Box Activity of the Week

“Written on Our Hearts: I will be their God, and they will be my people” coloring page. 

Click here to print your own copy of the : Written On Our Hearts Coloring Page

• Begin coloring the various designs within this page. As you do, we invite you to reflect about what it means to hear the words, “I will be their God, and they will be my people.” How do you feel like one of God’s people? What colors are you choosing for your picture and what meaning do they have for you?
• Leave your picture somewhere you might see it each day during the remainder of Lent, and it might become an inspiration for daily prayer. When you pray, consider how we might live and love in such a way that shows all people that they are God’s people.

Daily Devotion: Speak

Read: Jeremiah 1:1-10

Reflection Questions: What words do you need to say to yourself today? What things are you so passionate about that you can’t help but talk about them?

Prayer: God of invitations, you invite me to speak—to speak kindly to myself, to speak up for justice, to speak words of hope and good news. It’s easy to let the world do the talking. It’s defeating to imagine I might not be heard. Nevertheless, give me the courage to speak. Amen.

—Prayer by Rev. Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org