Listen: Transfiguration, February 7, 2016

February 7, 2016

Exodus 34:29-25; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-43a

Does this Gospel selection seem disjointed to you?  We have this wonderful experience of Jesus’ transfiguration---the glory of God revealed through sight and sound----and then we are thrown into a scene of suffering and demons thrashing around, foaming at the mouth, and shrieking.

Quickly moving from the sublime to the wretched.  What is going on here?

Life.  Life is going on.  And the Good News.  The Good News is going on.  Let’s dig in.

Here’s the first bit of Good News for us: the disciples have no clue what is going on.  They’ve blown it--again.  And yet, as the story continues we learn that Jesus loves them.  Jesus still believes they can be agents of the Kingdom.  Jesus still invites them to come, come and follow. Jesus still calls them beloved.  Good News for those of us who often feel confused and uncertain of how God works or what is going on; Good News for those of us who try to do God’s will and yet seem to mess it up; Good News for those of us who are not certain that we are beloved. 

The Gospel says to us: Yes, you are loved.  Yes, God chooses you to continue the Kingdom work.  Yes, you belong.  God says yes. To you.  To me.  To Creation.  God says yes.

And then God says: Listen.  Listen to Jesus.  Jesus, this glory-reflecting, glory-bearing, glory-bound vision of what it means to be human.  Listen to this One who shows us how to be human.  Listen, God says, and turn.  Turn toward Jesus; turn toward the face of Mystery and be transfigured.

Listen: when we make ourselves still and present.  And we open our hearts and minds to do more than simply hear, but to receive a Message.  Jesus is speaking to us.  Be present.  Be still.  Close your eyes and open your hearts. Listen.

Be not afraid. I come not to condemn. I come to give you life abundant.

I am the Way and the Truth and the life; the Way to live, the Truth of humanity, the life which even death cannot defeat. Come, follow me.

Take, eat.  Take, drink.  I give all of myself to you, for you, that you might taste forgiveness and love.  That you might then share forgiveness and love. Come to the table.

Love your neighbor as I have loved you.

Receive the Holy Spirit.  Receive my Peace.  Know wholeness; experience Shalom.

I call you friends. I know your name; I have always known your name.

You are mine.  I am yours.  We are God’s.

Come, follow me.

You belong.

You are forgiven.

You are beloved.

You are enough.

Am-mi.  Jesus says: Am-mi, My people. 

Come, follow. Turn and live.

Listen.                          

Listen.                                   

Listen.

This grace, this love, this truth is what gives us the strength and the courage to go down the mountain and enter the suffering of the world.  To face the shrieking demons and thrashing evil.  To face them and not be dismayed, not be afraid.  To see them and not run, but instead to reach out a hand, give a word, share our presence in order for shalom to be restored.

This Word, this Jesus, this is our story.  Our Truth. As we approach Lent, 40 days of walking with Jesus in the wilderness of this world, let us climb the mountain to draw nearer to God, to listen and experience the presence of God and be transfigured, be transformed---empowered and inspired,---possessed by the Holy Spirit.

We are glory-reflecting, glory-bearing, and glory-bound members of the Body of Christ.  Draw near and know.  Draw near and be transfigured. Be still. Be present. Listen to Jesus.