Apparently, Peter is a lot like us when something unexpected and revelatory happens. As The Rev. Gary W. Charles, Pastor of Cove Presbyterian Church in Covesville, Virginia notes, "Standing in the presence of the transformed Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, Peter cannot be still. He offers to build booths for the guests."

Moses himself, by contrast, is portrayed (in Exodus 24:12-18 and here Matthew) as someone who knows how to be receptive and present to even a soul-shaking event.

Rev. Charles elaborates: "Whereas Peter cannot be still in the midst of God's glory, the text from Exodus pictures Moses in quiet awe before the living God.... Moses appears atop a mountain silently, not to speak to the disciples or a crowd, but to witness the glory of God; he arrives not to speak but to listen..."

Jesus, too, spent time out in the "lonely places" of the desert, listening for the Spirit's voice. Yet we don't need to be in solitude or go on a retreat to be visited by God. The Spirit speaks to us everywhere, even when we are busy or stressed. May we, too, have the courage to listen.

The Rev. Gary W. Charles's further reflections can be found in Connections: A Lectionary Commentary, Year A, Volume 1, 2019, pages 304-306.