***
“Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory” (Luke 9:28-36).
***
By a show of hands, how many of you remember the story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad?
Harriet was born during a very dark time in our nation’s history, when slavery was legal, particularly in the South.
But after years of forced labor, she escaped from her captors, finding freedom in the North.
What makes her story so incredible is the fact that, after finding her own way to freedom, Harriet turned around and spent the next 10 years of her life helping others to do the same.
She did so using a system known as the Underground Railroad.
***
By all accounts, the Underground Railroad was a dangerous journey.
It took weeks to complete, as Harriet and her “passengers” as she called them, could only move under the cover of darkness for fear of being caught… or worse, killed.
Making matters even more difficult was the fact that only Harriet knew the way.
But at the end of her life, she’s recorded as saying, “In all of my travels, I never lost a single passenger.”
Every person that followed Harriet made it safely to the North.
***
Eleven days ago we celebrated Ash Wednesday, reminding us that we are dust and unto dust we shall return.
But today’s Gospel tells us that death is not the end of our journey.
Rather, Jesus will raise us up from the ash we become.
***
Remember the example of Harriet Tubman.
Just as she led hundreds of people to freedom in the North, so Jesus will lead all of us into the kingdom of God.
But only he knows the way. In order to make it, then, we must remain by his side.
***
So what will it look like when we arrive, you may be wondering?
Believe it or not, the Gospel gives us several clues.
***
In the most general terms, we can say that heaven will be like one massive family reunion.
For example, raise your hand if someone you love has died – and keep your hand raised if you want to see that person again.
With your hand raised, look around the church and see how many other people share your burden of loss – and your hope of the resurrection.
The Gospel assures us that you will see them again.
And here’s why:
On that mountain, Peter not only saw Jesus, but also Moses and Elijah, men who died hundreds of years before.
Yet there they are alive again, conversing with Jesus.
And like Jesus, they, too, have a body. They, too, have a name.
When we enter the kingdom of God, our bodies are glorified – they glow like Jesus.
We even keep own names and our memories – all of those beautiful moments in life that make us who we are.
When we see our loved ones, then, we’ll know exactly who they are – no less than Peter recognized Moses and Elijah.
Again, think of heaven like one massive family reunion.
In this sense, our best days are ahead.
***
There’s only one caveat.
***
Jesus tells us that he is, “The Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
In order to reach his kingdom we must follow him on the way, just as Harriet’s “passengers” followed her to the North.
So set aside 10 minutes each day – especially during this season of Lent – to pray.
Allow Jesus to guide you through the twists and turns of life, knowing that he is always with you, and is guiding you towards your heavenly home, where countless angels, Saints, family members, and friends safely await us.
Rejoice, because the day will come when we can say with Peter, “Lord, it is good that we are here.”
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