Thomas Merton wrote, “There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.” Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander We are so blessed in Aotearoa to be close to the beauty of nature. Most of us are not too far from a park, a special tree, a garden, a stream, the bush or a hill (mountain). The season of Lent is an invitation to open our eyes, hearts and minds to notice beauty.  Be more aware of the divine in all things – and in ourselves. This may be a glimpse, a noticing, an unexpected insight. It’s always pure gift.  Such a glimpse or insight can happen anywhere,  any time – in the quiet of the bush, the top of a mountain – or in a really busy place. One of my most treasured memories is being asked to hold a six week old baby in the midst of a noisy family gathering. All around me people were busy – talking, laughing, eating, drinking, telling stories. And – for a few precious moments the baby and I were lost in our own world as we gazed at each other in stillness and silence. I felt elated – as if I were face to face with God. I believe that the Transfiguration is a little bit like this. The first sentence of today’s Gospel gives two signals: Jesus led the disciples up a high mountain; where they could be alone. A mountain in Scripture is
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