Luke 9:28-36
About eight days after Jesus had foretold his death and resurrection, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"--not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
Blog Reflection
"The Transfiguration is not to be understood only as a spiritual experience of Jesus while at prayer, which three chosen disciples, Peter, James, and John, were permitted to witness. It is one of a series of supernatural manifestations, by which God authenticated Jesus as [God's] Son." (Holy Women, Holy Men, Celebrating the Saints, page 508).
Traditionally, the story of the Transfiguration is celebrated at the end of the season after the Epiphany, just before Ash Wednesday. The Transfiguration is considered a revelation of God's perfect revelation in Christ. The event symbolizes a vision of Jesus after the resurrection and ascension that celebrates the Lordship oChrist.
Those of us who are removed from a time and culture of kings, lords and dominionism have some difficulty with the Transfiguration. The event remembered today celebrates that Jesus is Lord as sung about in the famous hymn found in Philippians 2: 6-11.
As Christians we have every reason to celebrate the triumph of Christ's death, resurrection and ascension as they are important to our Faith. Our Baptism is a sharing in the events of Christ's saving mysteries as pointed out in Romans 6: 1-14.
The Transfiguration is a celebration of Jesus' work of salvation. It is also a reminder of our responsibilities as followers of the Transfigured Jesus. It is not enough to celebrate these awesome events as mere abstractions. We must incorporate the life of the transfigured, crucified and risen Jesus into our own.
We may say with Peter, James and John: "Lord, it is good for us to be here." We also know that as Jesus, Peter, James and John could not just stay on the mountain top taking in the majesty and wonder of God's mighty power. We must go on with life with it's many ups and downs. Jesus says to us as he does to those three disciples: "Do not be afraid."
The events that make the Christian Faith what it is, as wonderful as they are, are not an excuse to scapegoat the marginalized and oppressed. Nor are they given to us to make the Christian religion into an institutionalized supercessionism by which all other religions, cultures, philosophies, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities/expressions must now upgrade to the views and ways of the Christianists.
Today in Texas, a horrific display of what the Christianist movement has become has taken place. Gov. Rick Perry of Texas held his prayer gathering with some of the most oppressive names in the Christianist and Dominionist movements as among his supporters and speakers. See the Fact Sheet with it's long list of hate groups here.
One of the many speeches and spokes persons has already sounded off the call for "Israel's Jews to stop promoting Judaism."
This is why on Holy Days such as this one of the Transfiguration, I cringe. I get very concerned about the health of the Christian religion and our relationships with other faiths, traditions, governments and the like. Many Christians use a celebration of the Transfiguration to promote dominionism and Christianist ideologies. Anti-Semitism, Anti-Islam and other anti's towards other religious practices, beliefs and cultures are sadly not uncommon on days like today. The Christian religions name and founder get a bad reputation when such attitudes and behaviors get promoted and codified in our society.
The Transfiguration is an opportunity for Christians to exemplify the loving mercy, compassion and grace of our God and God's Son, Jesus. God's powerful and gentle grace seeks inclusion, justice and equality among all people.
The time Jesus spent in prayer throughout the Gospels and even today in the Transfiguration Gospel, was to reset his ministry of hospitality and reconciliation among God's people who have been oppressed by social, religious and political corruption. Even those who do not share our creeds, sacred texts and ideals.
Many months ago, Dean Spenser Simrill of St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral said: "Christianity does not hold a monopoly on truth." Christians do not hold anymore reason or right to dominate the world through violence, bias and suppression than anyone else. The Christian religion is not an excuse for suggesting gun violence towards President Obama or progressive politicians and their supporters. Christians holding tight to the Bible as God's inspired word, does not give Christians the go ahead to condone the targeting of Muslims, immigrants, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer people. The Christian view of "faith and grace alone" are not the okay to ignore the sick, the poor and neglected through budget cuts to programs that help these people.
Christians do have the opportunity through the goodness that our Faith is about, to inspire others to care for our neighbors in need. The heart and purpose of Christ's saving work gives us every reason to embrace those different from ourselves and find those paths towards dialogue. Despite our differences of opinion, understanding and practice of life and belief.
I think it would be a great use of today's celebration if we could all pray that God's holy people work together to eliminate fear based on ignorance that leads to violence and oppression. We don't all have to have all the answers. All we need to do is be faithful to seek God's lead towards making the world a better place for everyone. The Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.
Prayers
O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 234).
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 833).
Look with pity, O God, upon the people in this land who live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 826).
No comments:
Post a Comment