Listen to "The Beloved Son"

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on February 16, 2023

      What is an epiphany? An epiphany may be described as an “aha” moment. That moment when we intuitively grasp the truth of a revealed reality.  Epiphanies transform our lives.  This Sunday, the Church’s season of Epiphany comes to a climax with a great theophany: the revelation of the majesty and splendor of Jesus our divine Lord; His transfiguration. God’s glory in Jesus is revealed to Peter, James, and John on the sacred mountain.

      Peter affirms that the disciples’ witness was not constructed upon “cleverly devised myths” but built upon an actual event in a particular time and place (2 Peter 16-21). The glory of God in Jesus Christ was revealed to the disciples both in what they could see and hear. They saw Jesus as His face “shone like the sun and His clothes became dazzling white.”  They witnessed the presence of the long-deceased Old Testament heroes, Moses representing the law, and Elijah, the prophets; both of whom had mountain-top revelations of God’s glory in their lifetime.  There they stood with Jesus. The disciples also saw the bright cloud that overshadowed them and overwhelmed them with awe.  They heard the heavenly voice of God declare through the cloud, that Jesus is God’s Beloved Son. The same announcement was made at Jesus’ baptism, but on this occasion, the heavenly voice concludes with an urgent imperative, “listen to Him.”

      The disciples experienced this life-transforming event following Jesus’ prediction of His passion, death, and resurrection. Yet they did not understand what it meant. But they continued to follow Him and listened to Him, through the great cloud of unknowing. What the disciples received in the transfiguration was a foreshadowing of the unfathomable glory Christ received following His death, resurrection, and ascension.  After His death and the coming of the Holy Spirit, their eyes were opened to the depth of what they had witnessed, and their faith flourished. They surrendered their lives to obediently listen to and follow God’s will.  

      Like Jesus and the disciples, listening for us encompasses more than hearing. Listening involves struggling to overcome our human weaknesses and faithfully striving toward the path of obedience to God’s will, even when it causes suffering. As we listen to Jesus, the Beloved Son of God, we receive glimpses of His glory; glimpses that sustain us on our journey and remind us of our own promised glory with God.  

      Contemplating the mandate to listen to the Beloved Son, reminds us of our saintly brothers and sisters who through their resilience and perseverance, listened to God and obeyed His call to spread the gospel to all peoples. We especially remember the Episcopal Church’s first priest of color, the Reverend Absalom Jones, whose feast day was last Monday.   

      As we begin the season of Lent next Wednesday, may we prayerfully consider how we may grow in listening to Christ and so perceive glimpses of His glory. Speak Lord, your servant is listening. Amen.  

Tags: resurrection, listen, obedience, faithful, transformation, transfiguration, epiphany, ascension

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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