Transfiguration

In preparation for this week’s sermon, I found myself down a little bit of a rabbit hole considering the word “transfiguration” and came upon the story of Nanny McPhee.

Nanny McPhee is based on the book series Nurse Matilda written by the British children’s author Christianna Brand. Nanny McPhee arrives at the home of widower Cedric Brown in an attempt to corral his seven rather unruly children. The children have managed to dispatch several nannies with their incorrigible behavior, not unlike the Banks children in Mary Poppins. Upon meeting the children, Nanny McPhee, with an exterior that seems to match the children’s abhorrent behavior, tells them,

“When you need me but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me but no longer need me, then I have to go.”

Over time, like Jane and Michael Banks, the children under Nanny McPhee’s care are transformed, bit by bit; so too, is Nanny McPhee.

There are many aspects of the story of Nanny McPhee for us to ponder, such as the sadness we feel when someone we love is no longer with us. Although Jesus Christ will physically leave the disciples after the resurrection, his presence through the Holy Spirit remains.

See you in worship!