Transfiguration

Six days later, 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. Matthew 17: 1-2

Transiguration                      John Armstrong

The Transfiguration of Jesus occurs in the three synoptic Gospels, and is glancingly referenced in John’s Gospel. How utterly jaw-dropping for those disciples who took an ordinary walk  – we’d call it a “day hike” today – and suddenly, right there on a mountain their good friend Jesus turned blindingly brilliant. Right there in front of them! His face shone like the sun and his clothes became dazzling white.

This is one of those stories (it happened to Moses on a mountain once too) that offers us a glimpse into the power of God. We may go on with our daily lives, giving a nod to God every now and them, but we in the western world have pretty much tamed God. We don’t think very often about God’s utter GOD-NESS:  God’s ability to hang the planets on their courses or to populate and stock this fragile earth, our island home.

God does that.  And it’s a good thing for us to remember from time to time. 

Being Holy

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
Leviticus 19: 1-2

Nuns on a Beach                              Carlo Canevari 

The readings for next Sunday take a “blinders off” look at what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

Some dictionaries define “holy” as consecrated or set apart for God. Nuns, for example.  When I was growing up, they were objects of mystery. They dressed differently. They closed themselves into convents. My friends and I didn’t know what they actually did, but we knew they embodied holiness.  So, as a culture, we came to accept that definition; that things holy were things set apart – segregated form the rest of us. 

Over time, I have begun to dislike that definition. Being “holy” doesn’t mean that we should shut ourselves off from the world in order to avoid being tainted by its toxicity.  To the contrary, when God invites us to “Be holy, for I, the Lord your God am holy” it is an invitation into the world; into a world that is often unclean, unfair, and unruly. God is not asking us to be set apart; God is asking us to jump in.  

Holding Onto The Candle

If you choose, you can keep the commandments, and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.   Sirach 15:15

"Reaction"     Emily Van Engel   c. 2012

In times of stress, division, or polarity, we each respond differently. Some cry, some get angry, some ruminate, and others participate in large group actions. Fortunately, we are free to respond however we wish. We need not be bullied into protesting if it does not suit us.  

What is essential is that we continue to hold love out as the candle of our faith: Loving each other and respecting the dignity of every human being.

In times of national disunity and stress, we are Christians first. Some may be inclined to march, while others prefer to visit someone who is lonely or sick.  Any response, done in the name of Christ, is good and holy.  Let us not permit the polarity which infects our nation to break the bonds of affection we enjoy as brothers and sisters in Christ.

The question set before us is this:  When was the last time you connected what you said and what you did with who God is for you?

Our actions and our words reveal our theology.

Mystery

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the human heart conceived,

what God has prepared for those who love him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9

“Into the Eye of God”                Jimmy Canali 2012          

There is so much that we do not know. Essentially, God is a mystery. Sure, we can ascribe words and phrases to God like: “God is Love” but the mystery of this force, this Creator of the Universe, this power that can redeem all things and restore all things and bring new life into all things is beyond the finiteness of our human brains.  And yet we seek to know and love and believe in this “Everything” that we cannot ever really understand.

Even at the middle of this mystery, we testify to what we know to be true. And I know this: that God’s promises are true; I have never been let down by God. So when our government seems to be in chaos, and when fear threatens to overwhelm us, and when divisiveness threatens to besmirch our most precious relationships, remember that God's promises are eternal and true.  Here are some of God's promises that I know to be true: That God is with us, That nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. That God will never leave us or forsake us. That we are each God's beloved. These are Truths. These are God's promises to us.

So in the frenzy of these distressing times, when we aren't sure who or what to believe, pause and listen for that still, small voice, and pray without ceasing. Cling to God and grasp at God's Truths, for that is what will sustain us as we move into the unknown. God's promises are true and eternal and they are what will sustain us. That’s a promise.