My heart has been aching for many reasons recently, but especially so for my colleague, my brother’s children, and many friends who identify as “trans.” And then, we come to “Transfiguration Sunday” and I can’t help but make the connection. 

Trans comes from the Greek word metemorpho, as in metamorphosis, meaning change. Jesus was transformed on that mountain—changed somehow—though it’s not exactly clear what was changed, besides his dazzling white clothing,

Hamilton, the musical, opened ten years ago this month. What a different world that was! I have seen Hamilton live twice but have wanted to see the movie version.  The movie is a recording of a live performance from 2020, with Lin-Manuel Miranda playing Hamilton. Since it is only on Disney Plus, waited until I was in staying in someone’s home who had the Disney subscription. That happened last month.

Today's gospel is about access. Access to Jesus. Who has it, and who doesn’t have it. Access is a currency we deal in all the time, consciously or unconsciously. Consciously is when we pay extra at an Airbnb to get beach access. Unconscious examples include things like a zip code, an education level, or a network of friends. These types of things give us access to all sorts of things we take for granted: libraries, parks, social stability, and information.

Last night for a Valentine’s Day date, Pierrette and I did what we often do—we went out to hear live music. Last night’s show was nearby—at the Jazz Showcase in the old  Dearborn Station. The Alexander McLean Project, a collaboration of vocalist Dee  Alexander and band leader, composer, and guitarist John McLean, was just what we wanted for a delightful evening. They played old standards like My Funny Valentine  (of course) and new tunes they are working on for their next record. Their gesture to the larger political winds were subdued but not subtle—they signaled in no uncertain terms that the so-called “Love Day” shouldn’t be just one day in mid-February but every day. Ms. Alexander couldn’t have said it better had she been in a pulpit.