I will lift up mine eyes - Reflection by Canon Myles

It is nine years since I moved into my present house in the Cathedral Close. One of the joys of living here has been the wonderful view from the top floor. On the one side is our glorious Cathedral, close up and personal; and from the opposite window there is the view of the River Mersey and the Wirral peninsular beyond.
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The houses in the Close were built in 1986, and my near neighbour, Mrs Joan Walters, was one of the original residents. Joan tells me how much the view has changed since those early days. At that time, there was a clear and almost uninterrupted view of the river. That view has slowly changed with the rebuilding and regeneration of much of the city centre. During the years I have lived here, the river has all but disappeared as high-rise buildings continue to change the townscape.

One feature which hasn’t changed lies in the far distance:  the hills of Wales. During the weeks and months when we were bidden to stay at home, the view of those  majestic Welsh hills was for me a constant sign of hope. There is an old saying that if you look out and can see the Welsh hills, it is a sign that it is going to rain. If you look out and can’t see those hills, it’s raining already!

Today we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus, a glimpse of glory given only to three of those who followed him. It is hardly an accident that this wonderful sacred moment should took place on a mountain. God’s glory was revealed there, and it was so wonderful and beyond words that Peter wanted to stay up there and build his three tents. But the glory was there for a moment, and what had to come next was a journey back down from the mountain, where the sick and the needy were waiting for Jesus to bring them hope and healing as he walked closer and closer towards the Cross.

We need our moments of glory too, when we can be still and catch a glimpse, however fleeting, of the sheer wonder of God. But we know we cannot stay there.

A world in need now summons us to labour, love and give;
to make our life and offering to God, that all may live;
the Church of Christ is calling us to make the dream come true:
a world redeemed by Christ-like love, all life in Christ made new.
Frank von Christierson (1900 – 1996)

Canon Myles

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