Last Sunday After The Epiphany: From Epiphany to Lent

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 34:29-35 (NRSV)

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Psalm 99 (BCP., p.728)


2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (NRSV)

Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.

Luke 9:28-36 (NRSV)

About eight days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ of God, 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 ending of the Seasons after the Epiphany and Pentecost have a couple things in common.   They both end with a glorious image of Jesus.

The last Sunday after Pentecost is Christ the King.   We recall Jesus as the King who would come and establish the Reign of God and reign Himself in glorious majesty.   The celebration takes place as we prepare to journey into Advent when we recall that Christ who came once in history, will come again in glory, as we prepare to remember his first coming at Christmas.

Today, on this last Sunday after the Epiphany we have an image of Jesus glorious in the Transfiguration.  In the Transfiguration, Jesus reveals the glory of God as He prepares to go from that mountain to Jerusalem where He will be crucified on another mountain.   When we leave this mountain with Jesus today, we will go with him into the desert we call Lent.  As we walk with Jesus through Lent, we will be taking a good hard look at ourselves to make more space for God as we prepare to celebrate Holy Week and Easter.

Before Jesus can go on to Jerusalem, he goes up to the mountain to seek approval from God with what He is about to do.  Jesus is about to go forward and face the reality of His own death, before He can rise from the dead.  Those who are with Jesus are terrified of what they are witnessing.  But, though they are tired from their journey and work, they dare not fall asleep.   This is such a contradiction to what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before the crucifixion.

One of the reasons why many Benedictine and Trappist Monasteries still celebrate Matins, is so that not only their bodies, but their hearts will also be awake to greet the coming of Christ.   It is one thing to be awake physically.   It is quite something altogether different to be awake in both body and mind.   To be awake with all of one's senses, to greet God with the words of Psalm 3:5.  "I lie down and go to sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me."   It is God who allows us to wake up for another night and day, to recall the mighty acts of God who will "surely, strike all my enemies across the face, you will break the teeth of the wicked. Deliverance belongs to the Lord, your blessing be upon your people" (Psalm 3:7 & 8).

We may not know or understand everything that happened in the Transfiguration.  But, we do know that any encounter with Christ that gives us a revelation of God can only lead to good things.  However, they will not happen without our willing to lose a little bit of ourselves to obtain it.  It will require us to seek the goodness of God in ways and people that will disturb our comfort zones and shake our arrogance.   We will need to be awake to see God's glory.

It is not uncommon that God is revealing God's Self in ways around us, but our minds and souls are still asleep.   There may also be moments and opportunities to encounter the revelation of God, but, are we really aware of what is there?

God is revealing God's justice in the efforts to address the issues of those who are oppressed because of racism, sexism, heterosexism, greed, and exploitation.   These are opportunities for others to encounter Jesus as being glorified as Christians take interest in the dignity of the human person by letting go of our prejudices to encounter Christ in new ways.

God is calling us all to wake up and see God's glory being revealed in what is taking place all around us.  God does not promise to end all violence, oppression and poverty.  God promises to be with us as God calls upon us to work to end these evils in our world.  We must stop frightening the world about God being destructive, when God is the One who loves us all.  God who is forever moving and changing in our midst, also calls us to move and change the world around us.

As Jesus needed to seek God's will before moving forward, so must we.  If we are to experience all that Lent can provide for us, we need first to spend some time in silence seeking God's will.  In our penances, prayers and readings through Lent, we must be open to seeking the presence of Christ in all people, places and opportunities.  They are moments by which God can reveal God's glory in us, if only we will go with Jesus to the cross over and over again.

"All who want to save their lives will lose them.  But all who lose their lives because of me will find them"  (Mt. 16:25 Common English Bible).

Amen.


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. (Collect for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, p.217)


O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know
you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend
us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that
we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of
any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.  (Collect for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p. 99).

Please note, that you can follow my writing from Ash Wednesday leading up to Palm Sunday, please follow my other blog on Word Press: Simple Reflections for a Deeper Spiritual Life.  There will be regular blogging here from Palm Sunday through Easter Day.

Last Sunday After the Epiphany: Transfiguration, Contemplation, Action

Today's Scripture Readings

2 Kings 2:1-2 (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.

Psalm 50 (BCP., p.654)


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

Well, here we are.  The Last Sunday after the Epiphany.  Lent begins in three days.  Since the First Sunday after the Epiphany at Jesus' Baptism, we have followed Him through the calling of those first disciples, casting out demons and healing the sick.  Every year just before Ash Wednesday, the Church takes us to the mountain top with Peter, James and John as they experience Jesus' Transfiguration.  Just as with Christ the King Sunday before Advent begins, the Sunday prior to beginning Lent takes us to one of those glorious moments in Jesus' life and ministry.  The Transfiguration is also understood traditionally as an event within the Season of Epiphany.  God is manifested in Jesus in a luminous image of His glorified body after the Resurrection.  When Pope John Paul II added the Luminous Mysteries to the Dominican Rosary, the Transfiguration is one of the mysteries to meditate upon.

The Transfiguration is symbolic of what contemplative prayer is about.  Jesus is so in touch with who God is to Him, that He experiences the fullness of God's perspective of Him.  At this moment, Jesus makes preparation to walk down the mountain and make His way to Jerusalem where He will face His death and resurrection.  I believe that in the Transfiguration, Jesus receives from Moses and Elijah the connection of who He is and what He is about to do with the history of God's People.  Peter, James and John are so mystified by what takes place on the mountain, that they are terrified.   While these three disciples are following Jesus and learning from Him, they have not yet given themselves completely to the sacrificial work that God is doing in Jesus.  In this experience they witness for themselves the full revelation of Jesus so marvelously, that it fills them with a joy that makes them want to stay there with Him.  In that moment, their fear gave way to faith and they were able to hear God tell them to listen intentionally to Jesus from their hearts.  Jesus was transfigured, while the lives of Peter, James and John experienced transformation.

The last thing that Jesus said to the disciples seems rash if taken at face value.  Jesus is challenging them and us, to do more that just talk.  We are encouraged to live what we experience as we know God more deeply in our prayer and meditation and translate it into how we live.  As with any of the Biblical mysteries of Jesus' life cannot be explained or comprehended in our limited human minds.  But, they can be lived into reality as we listen to Jesus within our own hearts and respond in faith.  To respond in faith is our consent that we do not know how God wants to be transparent through us; but, we are willing to put one foot in front of the other in trust that God will take us the rest of the way.   It means allowing the Holy Spirit to widen those closed up spaces within our whole selves, so that we can face the prejudices that are there as they are, and seek healing and reconciliation with God and our neighbor.

This past week, we saw an outrageous example of how the Name of Jesus Christ is profaned in the State of Alabama.  As the freedom to marry became legal with the blessing of the Supreme Court, we saw several judges misuse their power to determine that their understanding of the Christian faith will be what everyone else observes.  By the way they used their judicial power the judges inflicted spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse on LGBTQ people and those who support their right to marry the person they love.  Jesus came not to decide who is saved and who will be damned.  Jesus came and made God's unconditional and all-inclusive love transparent through how He lived His life.  In the life, death, resurrection and transfiguration, Jesus gave a human face to God, as God became visible in transforming our human nature through a relationship of experiencing union with God in all aspects of our life.  Jesus upholds and preserves the dignity of every human person in His own divine reality and impacts humankind for all ages, races, sexual orientations, genders, religions, etc.  We owe Jesus and our neighbor our purest love, devotion and humility to do no less than what He did.

As we prepare to begin Lent this week, may we recommit ourselves to listening more intentionally to God within our hearts and respond by serving those in need around us.

Amen.


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.  (Collect for the Last Sunday After The Epiphany,The Book of Common Prayer, p.217)

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, 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.  (Prayer for the Oppressed, The Book of Common Prayer, p.826).

Last Sunday After the Epiphany: The Crown of Epiphany before Lent

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 24:12-18 (NRSV)
 

The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction." So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, "Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them."

Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Psalm 2  (BCP., p586)


2 Peter 1:16-21 (NRSV)

We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Matthew 17:1-9 (NRSV)

Six days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Blog Reflection

The significance of the Transfiguration as the Last Sunday after the Epiphany before Ash Wednesday in the Revised Common Lectionary is at an important crossroads for the Church.  Before we enter into the forty days of Lent, leading up to Holy Week and Easter Day, we journey with Jesus, Peter, James and John and climb the mountain where Jesus is transfigured.   We are witnesses to the event of the Transfiguration with those three Apostles, scared, wanting to stay there with Jesus, Elijah, and Moses in this moment of light, prophecy with a glimpse of the glory of God in Christ.  Just as the Season of Epiphany concluded at the Baptism of Jesus with the voice of God telling us that Jesus is God's Beloved with whom God is well-pleased, we are given the same request at the Transfiguration along with being told to listen to Jesus.

I recently started reading a new book as part of my formation.  The book is entitled The Mystery of Christ: The Liturgy As Spiritual Experience by Thomas Keating.  Keating writes that  we began this Liturgical Year with Advent, and then went through Christmas in which Jesus was born as the Word made flesh.  The Greek word for flesh is Sarx.  Meaning all of our human nature as it actually is, with all of it's suffering, immaturity, it's prone to rebel against the love of God, neighbor and self became one in the Person of God's Son, Jesus the Christ. "It is the human condition committed to it biological survival for its own sake or for the sake of the clan, tribe, nation or race" Keating wrote page 26.  Keating goes on the tell us the other side of Sarx.

The Greek word soma refers to the body insofar as it is open to further evolution: it is the human condition open to development. "The Word was made flesh" signifies that by taking the human condition upon Himself with all its consequences, Jesus introduced into the entire human family the principle of transcendence, giving the evolutionary process a decisive thrust toward God-consciousness (page 26).

The Season of the Epiphany is the crowning of Christmas, as the marriage between God and humankind.  This idea is what is meant with the story of the Marriage at Cana found in John 2:1-11.  The union of God with all humankind is consummated in the Holy Eucharist, which is the entire Paschal Mystery made present in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

The Season after the Epiphany finishes with the Transfiguration.  Another view of Jesus as the Light, in glory with the prophets from the Hebrew Scriptures announcing the new era of God's manifestation in what is about to happen as Jesus prepares for that final journey towards Jerusalem.  There in Jerusalem, Jesus will face His trial, crucifixion, and win the victory over death in His resurrection.  However, we cannot go there with Jesus, until we leave this holy mountain and journey with Him through Lent. The Season of self-denial, penitence, alms-giving, fasting and prayer.  The time to examine ourselves a bit more closely, to be sure we are ready to go all the way with Jesus to the Cross, or if we are still holding ourselves back by our own sins, disobedience, prejudices and our false sense of self.

The temptation of the Transfiguration is to say with Peter; "Lord, it is good for us to be here.  Let me build tents for all of us, so we can stay here and worship you."   However, it is not enough to stay with Jesus in our moments of glory and beauty by themselves.  If we are to experience the full impact of Jesus as God's perfect revelation of God's Self, then we must also walk with Jesus from the mountain back to the valleys of our lives.   As we return to those troublesome valleys,with all of the dangers and uncertainties, we can be confident that our God who is with us in Jesus in those glorious moments on the mountain, will be with us in the difficulties we face in the valleys. 

This past week, we went through some very dark valleys for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.   On Monday we got the very sad and troubling news that the President of Uganda signed into law the draconian bill that further criminalizes LGBT people for who they are, and who they love.  The law in and of itself is bad enough.  The fact that it was encouraged by American Evangelical Christian Missionaries makes the passing of this law even more egregious.  The message of the Gospel used as a means to hurt LGBT people with another deep wound, and defame the Name of Jesus Christ who came to redeem us all, without asking any of us to give up being who we are.  The grief many of us are feeling at this time is deep and brutal.  Yet, in ways that we cannot explain or understand, God is with us in Christ.

We were all relieved that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer vetoed S.B.1062 that would have been a license to discriminate on the unfounded basis of religious liberty.   However, after she vetoed the bill, a Fox news correspondent made the claim that "If you are Christian and live in Arizona, your Governor has just told you that the first amendment of the Constitution no longer applies to you."   Let's get one thing clear.  There are Christians who believe in protecting the rights of LGBT people, supporting immigration reform, a woman's right over her reproductive health care, supporting the poor, retired and disabled through Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and health care reform.   Those of us who do support these and many other important social justice issues of our time, are no less Christian than those who do not.   So, when you suggest that all Christians believe the same to be a Christian, you may want to ask the Lord at what point did He give over His job of judging others to you.  It was after all, Jesus who was transfigured on that holy mountain.  And it is God who told all of us that in Jesus we are God's beloved with whom God is well-pleased.   And, God told all of us, that is every one of us, to listen more closely to Jesus.   I think if we all listen just a little bit more closely from the heart, instead of through the minds of religious based bigotry disguised as defending religious liberty, we will hear Jesus tell us to love one another without distinction.   Jesus doesn't make scapegoats out of others to excuse Himself from loving others.   Only Christians who want to use the Gospel as an excuse for discrimination and violence do that.  I am so thankful that I have the choice of answering the call to serve Christ, by following Him so seriously, by not taking the Bible too literally.

When Jesus came down the mountain to His disciples who were on the ground in fear, what did He say to them?  "Get up and do not be afraid."   That is what He tells all of us to do today.   Before we go from today, into Ash Wednesday, our Lord calms us by telling us, "Get up and do not be afraid."   Jesus wants us to get up from where we are, and not be afraid to follow Him.  Because, from this point, Jesus is "God with us" where ever we go.   He is the presence of God in our lives and to others around us.  He is with us in the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us toward a closer relationship with God and one another.  Let us now, listen more closely to Jesus, as God's Beloved, with whom God is well-pleased.

Amen


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).

Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p.816).

 Look with pity, O heavenly Father, 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, p.826).

Last Sunday after the Epiphany: Are We Awake to See God's Glory?

Today's Scripture Readings

Exodus 34:29-35 (NRSV)

Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

Psalm 99 (BCP., p.728)


2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (NRSV)

Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.

Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.

Luke 9:28-36 (NRSV)

About eight days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ of God, 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 ending of the Seasons after the Epiphany and Pentecost have a couple things in common.   They both end with a glorious image of Jesus.  

The last Sunday after Pentecost is Christ the King.   We recall Jesus as the King who would come and establish the Reign of God and reign Himself in glorious majesty.   The celebration takes place as we prepare to journey into Advent when we recall that Christ who came once in history, will come again in glory, as we prepare to remember his first coming at Christmas.

Today, on this last Sunday after the Epiphany we have an image of Jesus glorious in the Transfiguration.  In the Transfiguration, Jesus reveals the glory of God as He prepares to go from that mountain to Jerusalem where He will be crucified on another mountain.   When we leave this mountain with Jesus today, we will go with him into the desert we call Lent.  As we walk with Jesus through Lent, we will be taking a good hard look at ourselves to make more space for God as we prepare to celebrate Holy Week and Easter.  

Before Jesus can go on to Jerusalem, he goes up to the mountain to seek approval from God with what He is about to do.  In that experience, Jesus receives the confirmation about the connection of what He is about to do, with the history of His own faith tradition.  He is about to go forward and face the reality of His own death, before He can rise from the dead.  Those who are with Jesus are terrified of what they are witnessing.  But, though they are tired from their journey and work, they dare not fall asleep.   This is such a contradiction to what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before the crucifixion.

One of the reasons why many Benedictine and Trappist Monasteries still celebrate Matins, is so that not only their bodies, but their hearts will also be awake to greet the coming of Christ.   It is one thing to be awake physically.   It is quite something altogether different to be awake in both body and mind.   To be awake with all of one's senses, to greet God with the words of Psalm 3:5.  "I lie down and go to sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me."   It is God who allows us to wake up for another night and day, to recall the mighty acts of God who will "surely, strike all my enemies across the face, you will break the teeth of the wicked. Deliverance belongs to the Lord, your blessing be upon your people" (Psalm 3:7 & 8).

In the Transfiguration we may not know or understand everything that happened there.  But, we do know that any encounter with Christ that gives us a revelation of God can only lead to good things.  However, they will not happen without our willing to lose a little bit of ourselves to obtain it.  It will require us to seek the goodness of God in ways and people that will disturb our comfort zones and shake our arrogance.   We will need to be awake to see God's glory.

It is not uncommon that God is revealing God's Self in ways around us, but our minds and souls are still asleep.   There may also be moments and opportunities to encounter the revelation of God, but, are we really aware of what is there?

God is revealing God's justice in the movements towards marriage equality.   As more States and countries like Great Britain pass marriage equality, opportunities for releasing those held captive by prejudice are taking place right in front of us.  Yet, those who are still stuck in age of LGBT people being condemned by God (which is untrue), would rather we not only fall asleep in ignorance, but become violently active to stop it. 

As God becomes manifested in seeking to provide health care opportunities for women, the outrageous efforts of Christianists to threaten those who provide such care to the most poor and violated of women, is hardly a  holy way to do things.   There is nothing holy or even pro-life in closing clinics that provide much needed services to women who are low income and in the places where there is no help for them.   Those who justify their actions by which they threaten abortion doctors and clinic workers, are not embracing the mission of God in our world.  They are bowing down to a masked god of violence and oppression, dressed up as religious zeal.  

As the news has been coming to the forefront of how dangerous the drone missile attacks are on targeted Americans, we have yet to acknowledge that the United States is murdering innocent families of women, men and children in Pakistan.  Why should we only be concerned about Americans be targeted without sufficient cause, but those in Pakistan are fair game?  

God is calling us all to wake up and see God's glory being revealed in what is taking place all around us.  God does not promise to end all violence, oppression and poverty.  God promises to be with us as God calls upon us to work to end these evils in our world.  We must stop frightening the world about God being destructive, when God is the One who loves us all.  God who is forever moving and changing in our midst, also calls us to move and change the world around us.

As Jesus needed to seek God's will before moving forward, so must we.  If we are to experience all that Lent can provide for us, we need first to spend some time in silence seeking God's will.  In our penances, prayers and readings through Lent, we must be open to seeking the presence of Christ in all people, places and opportunities.  They are moments by which God can reveal God's glory in us, if only we will go with Jesus to the cross over and over again.

"All who want to save their lives will lose them.  But all who lose their lives because of me will find them"  (Mt. 16:25 Common English Bible).

Amen.


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. (Collect for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, p.217)


O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know
you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend
us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that
we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of
any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.  (Collect for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p. 99).

Last Sunday after the Epiphany: Listen to the Beloved: Tell No One What You See

Today's Scripture Readings

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).

 

Last Sunday After the Epiphany: Trans Sunday

Scriptural Basis

Matthew 17:1-9

Six days after Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

Blog Reflection

As I have been reflecting on this weekends readings about the transfiguration of Jesus, I could not help but notice the word "trans."  

Whenever a word with two syllables begins with "trans" it usually refers to some kind of change. 

A transmission changes the gears in our motor vehicles to help us go faster, slower or in reverse.

When we transform something, we change it's form to resemble something different.

We often use the word "transgression" which is another word for sin or offense.  We have changed our desire to do something good, and do something that is not so good.

For the LGBTQ communities, we have our transgender folks.   The word transgender, means to change from one gender to another.  Not just physically, but internally.  A transgender person sees herself/himself as being different on the inside, compared to what she/he is on the outside.  The transgender person goes through a self acceptance process. In that process there is much time and heartache.   Eventually the transgender person will change their bodily appearanc, voice, body mass, to reflect who they are on the inside.   They do this, so that they can live honestly and openly who they really are.

It is a little bit like the caterpillar that goes into a cocoon and comes out a butterfly.

The idea of a transgender person is not limited to those who have gender reassignment surgery or take hormones.  Many lesbian and gay people show signs of being transgender in their bodily gestures, speech and/or dress style.  The lesbian woman can be very feminine, or masculine.  The lesbian person can show behaviors and ways that are both feminine and masculine.  Likewise many gay men can be masculine and/or feminine.  There are even some straight women who can appear very butch, while many straight men appear very feminine.  There is no set status quo.  Except in the minds of people who regard a change of gender as "unnatural".

As we prepare to move from the Sundays after the Epiphany into Lent this upcoming Ash Wednesday, we stop to consider the transfiguration of Jesus.

When Jesus took Peter, James and John with him up to the mountaion, Jesus was transfigured before them.  Suddenly the human Jesus had a divine image that was very bright.  The disciples saw the vision of God who was in Jesus, and how God could reveal God's Self through human history into the present time. They saw the God beyond human comprehension, become very close and personal.  The eyes of those who have been oppressed by their tyrannical government, suddenly saw the greatest Light of hope, they had been praying for all these many years.   No wonder they wanted to stay there. 

In the course of the conversation, they heard the voice of God declare that Jesus was God's Son the Beloved with whom God was well-pleased, and all should listen to Jesus.

When Jesus was transfigured, the God who was in Christ became visible.  If only for a few moments.  Jesus who was God's prefect revelation, revealed God's Self in God's divine nature. 

In the transfiguration, Jesus shows that we cannot judge an individual person by their appearance alone.  Within each individual person is the wonder and beauty of God's revelation that gives light to the darkness.  
What can appear so predictable about an individuals outward appearance can suddenly become our own inner shame, when someone we deemed worthless because of outward appearences, actions etc, suddenly shows to us a love, kindness and tenderness that surpasses our own.

An individual who does not fit our status quo can suddenly help us realize there is a hidden loving individual within each of us, that longs to "come out" and love others in new and wonderful ways.

In other words, we can experience our own unique transfiguration and/or transformation.

We can have a variety of reactions to change in our lives and/or world.

We can react to change with delighted welcome.  Or we can react to change with reluctance and disbelief.

We can go with the flow.

We can become obstructionists and become obsessed with being sure real change does not happen. At times change is something that is just out of our hands.

When I think of all that is going on in our nation with the labor protests in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indianna, New Jersey and all over, I think of how distressed many of us are.   Watching individuals trying to defend what is left of their small wages, high cost health care, not to mention the wickedness of what so many are saying that public school teachers are to be vilified, is very heart wrenching.   Listening to the news reports day in and day out of how as much as people are protesting and speaking out, the rethuglicans are just not going to
budge. 

The transfiguration story in the Gospels reminds us that the Light of God is present in the most tragic storms of life.  The God who has been a part of human history is here with us in God's Son, by the power of God the Holy Spirit.  God invites all of us who are God's Beloved, and with us, God is well-pleased, to embrace God and the Light that Christ brings in the midst of the darkness of our lives.   No matter how ugly and un-godly the circumstances and how selfish certain individuals can be, God is never absent from those who are calling out to God in their need.

Every person has those moments when God just seems so far out of reach of us and our situation.  Circumstances close in all around us.  Life just is not making any sense.  We need God's transforming grace to change our world and ourselves. 

Most of the time, the world does not change very quickly.  We can choose to cooperate with God's plan of change for our lives. Or we can stifle God's Spirit and just let whatever the circumstances of our lives be, just destroy us and our sense of self respect.

Transgender people are a wonderful reminder of God's transformative grace.  They struggle very deeply to understand who they are.   They often appear to be existing in two different worlds.  In reality, they are in touch with their true selves.  They struggle with themselves, their families, their relationships and even wtih their own bodies to bring forth the very essence of who they are. 

Transgender people are a fantastic reminder of what can happen when we accept who we really are on the inside, and work with God and others to be transformed into who we really are.  Transgender people remind Christians that there is always a wonderful and beautiful person inside of us, just bursting to come forward and delight the world with the real and gifted person we really are.  The more we resist what God is calling us to within, the more we will keep God's plan in our lives from becoming a reality.   If we only surrender ourselves into God's will that is so often speaking from the depths of our hearts and souls, God can not only transform us, but also the world around us. 

As with any change, it is difficult.  There will be those who will resist the change that we bring forward.  That is really okay.  Is it just?  No.  Does it have to completely destroy us? No.

On this Trans Sunday before Lent, we are reminded that we journey with Jesus into these forty days so that we may continue to be transformed, so that together we can transform the world of darkness and in justice.  

There is way too much oppression, suppression, prejudice and violence for Christians to take a back seat and not pay attention. 

Progressive Christians need to become missionaries of peace in a world of cruelty and war.  We carry the torch of progressive social and political change so that the person who remains marginalized by the Church and society, can be brought forward to be dignified. 

Progressive Christians can look to the transfiguration of Jesus, and transgender people to bring that light that is within all of us who are oppressed and stigmatized, to live freely, openly and with integrity.

May we all understand how much we are all God's beloved, and with us God is well-pleased.  May we all become partners in the work for all people to know and live their belovedness and so transform and transfigure our world.


Prayers

O God, who before the passion of your only­begotten 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. (Prayer for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, Book of Common Prayer, page 217)

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son:  Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, page 815).

Transfiguration: God's Transparent Presence

Luke 9:28-36 (NRSV)

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.

A little bit of background about today's Holy Day comes from James Kiefer.

 Today we celebrate the occasion (recorded in Matthew 17:1-8 = Mark 9:2-8 = Luke 9:28-36) on which Christ, as He was beginning to teach His disciples that He must die and rise again, revealed Himself in shining splendor to Peter, James, and John. Moses and Elijah were present, and are taken to signify that the Law and the Prophets testify that Jesus is the promised Messiah. God the Father also proclaimed him as such, saying, "This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him." For a moment the veil is drawn aside, and men still on earth are permitted a glimpse of the heavenly reality, the glory of the Eternal Triune God.

In the East, the Festival of the Transfiguration has been celebrated since the late fourth century, and is one of the twelve great festivals of the East Orthodox calendar. In the West it was observed after the ninth century by some monastic orders, and in 1457 Pope Callistus III ordered its general observance. At the time of the Reformation, it was still felt in some countries to be a "recent innovation," and so was not immediately taken over into most Reformation calendars, but is now found on most calendars that have been revised in the twentieth century. A recent tendency in the West is to commemorate the Transfiguration on the Sunday just before Lent, in accordance with the pattern found in the Synoptics, where Jesus is represented as beginning to speak of his forthcoming death just about the time of the Transfiguration, so that it forms a fitting transition between the Epiphany season, in which Christ makes himself known, and the Lenten season, in which he prepares the disciples for what lies ahead. Whether observing the Transfiguration then will affect the observation of it on 6 August remains to be seen.

In the meditation for the Transfiguration Forward Day by Day shares the following:

Like Peter, James, and John, we too have our “mountain-top moments,” and the glory of them often stays with us to sustain us when the going gets rough. For some it may be church-related, the memory of their first communion, the breathless hush of the early-morning stillness broken only by the warm, wonderful words of worship. For others it may be some spectacle of nature, perhaps a summer sunset, or the snow-capped Tetons, perfectly reflected in the mirror of Jackson Lake. For still others it may be the moment they first understood, with a flash of almost divine intuition, the meaning of love. So we garden-variety mortals are given our lesser transfigurations, those glimpses of unearthly beauty when we know with a certainty beyond all argument that we stand in the presence of something infinitely greater than ourselves.

Like the apostles, we also must descend again into the valley of dull, daily routine, the valley of decision where choices must be made and their results lived with, even the valley of the shadow of death.

Jesus came down from the mountain with the apostles, and he walks in the valley with us. (1978).

As I meditate upon the Transfiguration I have my many thoughts that I want to share.  The Transfiguration takes place according to Scripture at a time when Jesus is telling his followers about his upcoming death and resurrection.  As human beings it is difficult for us to believe things just by being told.  Most of us are doubting Thomas' in one way or another.  We need to see evidence to believe in certain things.  If we do not have exacting evidence then we need something that symbolizes some thing we can relate to.  However, the Transfiguration is an experience only a few are able to imagine.  How God becomes one like us and reveals God's Self in the revelation of Jesus and then transfigures God's appearance before three of the disciples, that is something we cannot exactly comprehend or relate to.  We do, however,  relate to a story if it has been repeated enough times.  The story of the Transfiguration has been shared with us in all three synoptic Gospels.  The narrative has been written and read in three different accounts.  When stories are told more than once and in them we can find something we can relate to, the stories become part of our history and eventually part of our own lives.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and queer people make our way towards equality when we share our stories.  Our stories of coming out, the pain we have endured, the disappointments, the family issues, our relationships and how we are succeeding.  The more we tell our stories, the more transparent the reality of being LGBTQ  becomes part of our culture.  In the Transfiguration the presence of God in Jesus became transparent as the history of God's salvation suddenly became the here and now for Peter, James and John.  Peter, James and John had a mountain top experience with Jesus, and it was there that they found themselves experiencing the transparent presence of God.  The transparent presence of God was not only present there during that mountain top experience, but it also became very clear that God's presence is transparent where ever we happen to be, what ever we happen to be doing.  God's presence is even more transparent when our lives tell the stories of how God has been working in our lives.  

This past Wednesday's decision to overturn Prop 8 by Judge Walker is a moment in which we saw God's presence transparent in the lives of two couples who decided that an election to take away their marriage equality rights just would not do.  They put forth their love and the aspirations not only for themselves, but for all lesbian and gay couples who want to share in the joys as well as the sorrows of the institution of marriage.  The couples that put forth the law suit may not have been Christian.  They may very well have been atheists.   However, we do not have to be Christian or even devout for God to use us to do extra ordinary things.  Peter, James and John used to be fisherman, who just worked and tried to bring home a good meal for their family.  Yet God used them to do extraordinary things.  In the Transfiguration, God made God's Self and God's plan of salvation known to these three men. They did not understand it, nor did they really grasp what that experience even meant.  All they knew, is something awesome happened, a voice was heard saying listen to God's Son, and they were told not to say anything about it until after Jesus was raised from the dead.  Nevertheless, their experience of God's transparent presence made it's impact on them and now those of us who still hear their stories today.   So it is with the stories of Stonewall, Harvey Milk, and those first people who died of AIDS, and all of those brave women and men who said the status quo of discrimination in marriage just will not do.  When people step forward to share their stories and make them transparent in other people's minds and hearts, tremendous life-changing experiences will and do happen.   The Prop 8 decision this week is just such an example.

How are we making God's presence transparent in our lives?  What are our mountain top experiences with God?  Is it in prayer with the Book of Common Prayer, or practicing Buddhist like spirituality's such as taking a long walk or even walking a Labyrinth?   Do we seek God's presence in the ordinary times of our lives as well as those extraordinary moments?  How can we turn an ordinary moment and make God's presence transparent so that it seems like an extraordinary event?

God is with us through all of the experiences of our lives, from our mountain top experiences, to those low valleys when we are not so sure where it is we are going.  If we allow God's transparent presence to be part of our experience, even the most mundane, ordinary task can seem like a mountain top that we just never left.

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. (Collect for the Transfiguration, Book of Common Prayer, Page 243).

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. (Prayer Attributed to St. Francis, Book of Common Prayer, Page 833).