Today's Scripture Readings
2 Kings 2:1-12 (NRSV)
2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NRSV)
Mark 9:2-9 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
"I cannot wait to get home to tell my (mother/father/sister/partner/husband/wife) the incredible thing I just saw or participated in." Every time I have an experience that is so wonderful and exciting, the very next thing I want to do is run home to tell Jason about it. I love to call my mother back in Massachusetts to tell her any good news I might have gotten. When we have had a wonderful experience the very next thing we want to do is tell someone else. We want them to share in our joy and interest. In a way, we want to tell them to appear impressive and knowledgeable. As generous as it might be to tell the good news to everyone, it can also be a form of demonstrating our being self-centered. I know, I do this often.
Peter, John and James saw something so incredible, that most people just would not believe, unless they saw it with their own eyes. Jesus being transfigured before them was an experience that made Peter say: "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." The fear of something awesome had gripped these men. All they wanted to do was stay there and be caught up in the splendor of Jesus glorified, with the voice saying, "This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him!"
This is an event in the Gospel narratives that can be told and read. It cannot be understood or explained. The mystery of it can be talked about. The transfiguration event cannot be described as an actual historical event so that there will be no doubt in at least some individual's mind, that perhaps it is just a story told. We can tell a story. We do not have the power over someone else to accept it as true or relevant to her/his life.
What is most important is not whether or not these events took place in the exact manner in which they are described. Instead, the imperative is to consider carefully the truths they contain.
God, though mysterious and seemingly separate and alien to humankind, is very close to us. The awesomeness and wonder of God as Creator, Servant and Life-Giver is not so remote that God is detached from our human experiences. God's transforming grace is present in this world by God's perfect revelation in Jesus the Christ. The revelation of God in Christ is made possible and available through the Holy Spirit. It is through faith in the grace of God, that we are able to encounter Jesus in our every day lives. Jesus the Beloved, interacts with us as God's beloved people. We are redeemed through the merits of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are empowered by God the Holy Spirit to be witnesses and missionaries of God's salvation and Light in a world and time of darkness, greed and an obesity of power driven priorities that are designed to keep the marginalized where they are.
This past week, we witnessed a terrible display of male privilege being used to exploit and dominate the issue of contraception for women. In the midst of a debate that is really about respecting the rights of a woman to chose what is best for her in terms of if or how she will be an incubator for male domination, the issue of religious freedom has been defended with a counterfeit version of God's compassion and inclusion. The Bishops of the Catholic church with their insistence on "protecting all human life at every stage" once again advocates for an unborn fetus at the expense of the life of a mother. A mother who may have been the unfortunate victim of rape, incest, poorly informed sexual education, and of course the male preoccupation with himself at the expense of women. This past weekend there was an incredible discussion on the issue of the Catholic church, contraception and religious freedom on State of Belief Radio, by the Inter-Faith Alliance.
In actuality, what is at issue here is the freedom to choose what religious point of view works for each individual person, made by one group of people for the rest of us. What is at issue here is the dignity of women and other individuals being empowered or having that power taken from them by people who have their institutions best interests at heart. Not the best interests of women and other individuals who's bodies and reproductive systems are affected by their recklessness. What is being discussed here is the question of what religious perspective will the State adopt, by which they will impress upon everyone else by means of who's version of the law.
The State of Virginia is very close to giving the State the power to force women with unwanted pregnancies to undergo a mandated invasion of her body, by way of an ultra sound, to determine whether she has the right to decide what is best for her. Once again, male privilege is being used to legislate a woman's reproductive health care.
The same is true for the issue of marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people. This past week the Governor of Washington State signed marriage equality into law. Immediately, anti-equality organizations began collecting signatures to place a referendum to over turn the new legislation before the LGBT citizens of Washington have the opportunity to take advantage of their constitutionally protected right to marry.
The New Jersey legislature passed marriage equality in their State, only to have it vetoed by a Governor Christie who wants the issue to be put before the voters of New Jersey. Once again, giving heterosexuals the power to decide that they benefit at the expense of those who are not.
The State assembly of Maryland passed marriage equality. At their backs is the National Organization for Marriage, The Family Research Council, and GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum ready to take those rights away.
Why do you suppose Jesus told Peter, James and John to say nothing about what happened until after he was raised from the dead? What is the likelihood that they didn't say anything?
The Gospel narrative of the transfiguration comes after Jesus was telling his disciples: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the Gospel, will save it." (Mark 8: 34b-35). I believe that the succession of these two Gospel events are there to tell us something important.
If we want to really be followers of Christ, we must be willing to lay aside our own power, our need for prestige and control, and put God at the center of our lives. Not just in a matter of personal and public proclamation. But as a matter of living our lives in such a way that God's glory shows through our actions and attitudes. Jesus is asking Peter, John and James to not tell anyone about these events, because he still has much to teach them by the way of the example of how Jesus lived his life. Jesus had yet to teach them by way of parables. They needed the lesson about being a servant rather than insisting on who should be on Jesus' right or left. They needed to witness Jesus givin sight to Bartimaeus, and eventually go the Jerusalem to face his crucifixion and resurrection.
There are times when we think that just because we have had one incredible experience of God, that we are to twist everyone's arm to think and behave as we think they should. However, that is not the message of the Gospel. That is not the fulfillment of the great commission of Matthew 28: 18-20. This is not an invitation to make the Christian Religion into a Faith by which all others are to be "reduced" to our religion in order to find salvation.
We are being asked to listen to what God is saying to us as God's beloved, through God's Beloved Son Jesus Christ. We are asked to not tell someone what we have seen, but to live the example of the One who taught us that God's love is unconditional and all-inclusive. We are to show radical hospitality and participate in the ministry of reconciliation. Each day and moment we have an opportunity to be the Light of God that we have experienced, by the way of arms and heart outstretched to express the love of God that is within each of us. To allow God's grace that is gracious, merciful and totally receptive to all people. God is present in diversity, and gives new life even through those who do not recite the Nicene Creed or say the same sinner's prayer that we do.
God's loving power is experienced through the physical and romantic love of two people of the same sex, in as much as it is made visible in the loving sexuality of straight people.
God embraces the outcast, the wanderer who feels like their life is on the brink of giving up, the sick, the poor and those who think that no one in the world loves them. They too are beloved of God. They can know this when we love them.
As we prepare to journey into Lent, from the ashes to the Cross and the empty tomb on Easter Day, let us become God's witnesses in our attitudes and behaviors, to show that our worship of Jesus Christ is authentically life-giving.
Prayers
2 Kings 2:1-12 (NRSV)
Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. The company of prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?" And he said, "Yes, I know; keep silent."
Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here; for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho. The company of prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take your master away from you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know; be silent."
Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
2 Corinthians 4:3-6 (NRSV)
Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Mark 9:2-9 (NRSV)
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Blog Reflection
"I cannot wait to get home to tell my (mother/father/sister/partner/husband/wife) the incredible thing I just saw or participated in." Every time I have an experience that is so wonderful and exciting, the very next thing I want to do is run home to tell Jason about it. I love to call my mother back in Massachusetts to tell her any good news I might have gotten. When we have had a wonderful experience the very next thing we want to do is tell someone else. We want them to share in our joy and interest. In a way, we want to tell them to appear impressive and knowledgeable. As generous as it might be to tell the good news to everyone, it can also be a form of demonstrating our being self-centered. I know, I do this often.
Peter, John and James saw something so incredible, that most people just would not believe, unless they saw it with their own eyes. Jesus being transfigured before them was an experience that made Peter say: "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." The fear of something awesome had gripped these men. All they wanted to do was stay there and be caught up in the splendor of Jesus glorified, with the voice saying, "This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him!"
This is an event in the Gospel narratives that can be told and read. It cannot be understood or explained. The mystery of it can be talked about. The transfiguration event cannot be described as an actual historical event so that there will be no doubt in at least some individual's mind, that perhaps it is just a story told. We can tell a story. We do not have the power over someone else to accept it as true or relevant to her/his life.
What is most important is not whether or not these events took place in the exact manner in which they are described. Instead, the imperative is to consider carefully the truths they contain.
God, though mysterious and seemingly separate and alien to humankind, is very close to us. The awesomeness and wonder of God as Creator, Servant and Life-Giver is not so remote that God is detached from our human experiences. God's transforming grace is present in this world by God's perfect revelation in Jesus the Christ. The revelation of God in Christ is made possible and available through the Holy Spirit. It is through faith in the grace of God, that we are able to encounter Jesus in our every day lives. Jesus the Beloved, interacts with us as God's beloved people. We are redeemed through the merits of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are empowered by God the Holy Spirit to be witnesses and missionaries of God's salvation and Light in a world and time of darkness, greed and an obesity of power driven priorities that are designed to keep the marginalized where they are.
This past week, we witnessed a terrible display of male privilege being used to exploit and dominate the issue of contraception for women. In the midst of a debate that is really about respecting the rights of a woman to chose what is best for her in terms of if or how she will be an incubator for male domination, the issue of religious freedom has been defended with a counterfeit version of God's compassion and inclusion. The Bishops of the Catholic church with their insistence on "protecting all human life at every stage" once again advocates for an unborn fetus at the expense of the life of a mother. A mother who may have been the unfortunate victim of rape, incest, poorly informed sexual education, and of course the male preoccupation with himself at the expense of women. This past weekend there was an incredible discussion on the issue of the Catholic church, contraception and religious freedom on State of Belief Radio, by the Inter-Faith Alliance.
In actuality, what is at issue here is the freedom to choose what religious point of view works for each individual person, made by one group of people for the rest of us. What is at issue here is the dignity of women and other individuals being empowered or having that power taken from them by people who have their institutions best interests at heart. Not the best interests of women and other individuals who's bodies and reproductive systems are affected by their recklessness. What is being discussed here is the question of what religious perspective will the State adopt, by which they will impress upon everyone else by means of who's version of the law.
The State of Virginia is very close to giving the State the power to force women with unwanted pregnancies to undergo a mandated invasion of her body, by way of an ultra sound, to determine whether she has the right to decide what is best for her. Once again, male privilege is being used to legislate a woman's reproductive health care.
The same is true for the issue of marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people. This past week the Governor of Washington State signed marriage equality into law. Immediately, anti-equality organizations began collecting signatures to place a referendum to over turn the new legislation before the LGBT citizens of Washington have the opportunity to take advantage of their constitutionally protected right to marry.
The New Jersey legislature passed marriage equality in their State, only to have it vetoed by a Governor Christie who wants the issue to be put before the voters of New Jersey. Once again, giving heterosexuals the power to decide that they benefit at the expense of those who are not.
The State assembly of Maryland passed marriage equality. At their backs is the National Organization for Marriage, The Family Research Council, and GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum ready to take those rights away.
Why do you suppose Jesus told Peter, James and John to say nothing about what happened until after he was raised from the dead? What is the likelihood that they didn't say anything?
The Gospel narrative of the transfiguration comes after Jesus was telling his disciples: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the Gospel, will save it." (Mark 8: 34b-35). I believe that the succession of these two Gospel events are there to tell us something important.
If we want to really be followers of Christ, we must be willing to lay aside our own power, our need for prestige and control, and put God at the center of our lives. Not just in a matter of personal and public proclamation. But as a matter of living our lives in such a way that God's glory shows through our actions and attitudes. Jesus is asking Peter, John and James to not tell anyone about these events, because he still has much to teach them by the way of the example of how Jesus lived his life. Jesus had yet to teach them by way of parables. They needed the lesson about being a servant rather than insisting on who should be on Jesus' right or left. They needed to witness Jesus givin sight to Bartimaeus, and eventually go the Jerusalem to face his crucifixion and resurrection.
There are times when we think that just because we have had one incredible experience of God, that we are to twist everyone's arm to think and behave as we think they should. However, that is not the message of the Gospel. That is not the fulfillment of the great commission of Matthew 28: 18-20. This is not an invitation to make the Christian Religion into a Faith by which all others are to be "reduced" to our religion in order to find salvation.
We are being asked to listen to what God is saying to us as God's beloved, through God's Beloved Son Jesus Christ. We are asked to not tell someone what we have seen, but to live the example of the One who taught us that God's love is unconditional and all-inclusive. We are to show radical hospitality and participate in the ministry of reconciliation. Each day and moment we have an opportunity to be the Light of God that we have experienced, by the way of arms and heart outstretched to express the love of God that is within each of us. To allow God's grace that is gracious, merciful and totally receptive to all people. God is present in diversity, and gives new life even through those who do not recite the Nicene Creed or say the same sinner's prayer that we do.
God's loving power is experienced through the physical and romantic love of two people of the same sex, in as much as it is made visible in the loving sexuality of straight people.
God embraces the outcast, the wanderer who feels like their life is on the brink of giving up, the sick, the poor and those who think that no one in the world loves them. They too are beloved of God. They can know this when we love them.
As we prepare to journey into Lent, from the ashes to the Cross and the empty tomb on Easter Day, let us become God's witnesses in our attitudes and behaviors, to show that our worship of Jesus Christ is authentically life-giving.
Prayers
O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son
revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that
we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 217).
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on
the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within
the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit
that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those
who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for
the honor of your Name. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 101).
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us,
in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront
one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work
together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 824).
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