For
Sunday, February 11, 2018, Transfiguration Last Sunday after Epiphany, Year, Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, 2
Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9
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...a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. [2 Kings 2:8, 11b]
The Lord, the God of gods...Our God will come and not keep silence... [Psalm 50:1a, 3a]
Even if the 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. [2 Corinthians 4:3-4]
And [Jesus] was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them...Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" [Mark 9:2b-3, 7]
While the Transfiguration is, most likely, the focal point for this week's sermons across many Christian pulpits, don't discard the other astounding moments we're given with Elijah. Ask your friends, "Where does the water get parted in the Bible?" It's a trick question, of course, so all the more fun! It is a moment easy to overlook but here it is: Elijah struck the water and the water was parted. It is surprising, to me, in its subtlety. No multitudes on a grand escape with a chasing army close on their heels. A simple: part the waters and walk on dry ground. Be honest, did you remember? Even people who don't know the Hebrew Testament often know, at least, that Elijah was carried to heaven in a chariot, if not one of fire pulled by horses of fire; think of the spiritual Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. But we sometimes don't equate that lift-off with ascension. Elijah didn't die. He just merely ascended to heaven after parting the Jordan river with his cloak! um, wow?! Maybe we should look a little closer at Elijah. After all, he appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration along with Moses, it seems we should know more. But for the moment, let us think about this piece from Mark's Gospel.
The Transfiguration is one of the five major markers in the life of Jesus along with his Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Each event is spectacular in its own right and each gives rise to disbelief, even among those who were present. This particular Gospel moment is located high up on the holy ground of the Mountain; which specific mountain is a matter of discussion and debate among scholars and tour leaders. But let us be released from unbelief and the need for factual details - as Paul reminds us that the Gospel is veiled for the unbelievers. Settle in to the short reading and just be enveloped in the mystery, in the shekinah - the cloud of God's glory. Worry less about ifs and whats and whens and just do as God says - LISTEN to Jesus. As children we believe the stories we are told - the good, the bad, and the scary. We learn to separate truth from fiction as we grow older and yet we can revel in the plot of a page-turner novel or a great film or dramatic tv show. Why not suspend doubt and disbelief and imagine the moment: Jesus transfigured, his clothes became dazzling and a cloud overshadowed them, and out of it came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" I envision the Michaelangelo painting in the Sistine Chapel of Adam's finger nearly touching God's, and on this whichever Mountain, I can see a brilliantly radiant lighted figure who is suddenly at the center where Human and Divine meet and connect within. A spark ignites and The Cloud surrounds and the Voice... take a moment to breathe all that in and just sit with it.
It is time again for me to just listen more and analyze less. The Light of Christ is always on within and without and in any moment of darkness or doubt, I can take it to the top in prayer.
Now go read more about Elijah! Click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah
The Lord, the God of gods...Our God will come and not keep silence... [Psalm 50:1a, 3a]
Even if the 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. [2 Corinthians 4:3-4]
And [Jesus] was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them...Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" [Mark 9:2b-3, 7]
While the Transfiguration is, most likely, the focal point for this week's sermons across many Christian pulpits, don't discard the other astounding moments we're given with Elijah. Ask your friends, "Where does the water get parted in the Bible?" It's a trick question, of course, so all the more fun! It is a moment easy to overlook but here it is: Elijah struck the water and the water was parted. It is surprising, to me, in its subtlety. No multitudes on a grand escape with a chasing army close on their heels. A simple: part the waters and walk on dry ground. Be honest, did you remember? Even people who don't know the Hebrew Testament often know, at least, that Elijah was carried to heaven in a chariot, if not one of fire pulled by horses of fire; think of the spiritual Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. But we sometimes don't equate that lift-off with ascension. Elijah didn't die. He just merely ascended to heaven after parting the Jordan river with his cloak! um, wow?! Maybe we should look a little closer at Elijah. After all, he appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration along with Moses, it seems we should know more. But for the moment, let us think about this piece from Mark's Gospel.
The Transfiguration is one of the five major markers in the life of Jesus along with his Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Each event is spectacular in its own right and each gives rise to disbelief, even among those who were present. This particular Gospel moment is located high up on the holy ground of the Mountain; which specific mountain is a matter of discussion and debate among scholars and tour leaders. But let us be released from unbelief and the need for factual details - as Paul reminds us that the Gospel is veiled for the unbelievers. Settle in to the short reading and just be enveloped in the mystery, in the shekinah - the cloud of God's glory. Worry less about ifs and whats and whens and just do as God says - LISTEN to Jesus. As children we believe the stories we are told - the good, the bad, and the scary. We learn to separate truth from fiction as we grow older and yet we can revel in the plot of a page-turner novel or a great film or dramatic tv show. Why not suspend doubt and disbelief and imagine the moment: Jesus transfigured, his clothes became dazzling and a cloud overshadowed them, and out of it came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" I envision the Michaelangelo painting in the Sistine Chapel of Adam's finger nearly touching God's, and on this whichever Mountain, I can see a brilliantly radiant lighted figure who is suddenly at the center where Human and Divine meet and connect within. A spark ignites and The Cloud surrounds and the Voice... take a moment to breathe all that in and just sit with it.
It is time again for me to just listen more and analyze less. The Light of Christ is always on within and without and in any moment of darkness or doubt, I can take it to the top in prayer.
Now go read more about Elijah! Click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader:
~ O Lord, Our God, guide us away from material
distractions that we may lift the Gospel veil to see, listen, and live
according to Your Word and Wisdom, the dry ground of our being.
Christ,
Most Glorious
RESPONSE: Let Your Light shine through us
~ O Lord, Our God, enfold the leaders of our
Planet, our Country, and our Community in a double share of Your Spirit. Open
blinded minds by a heaven-sent whirlwind, that illuminates and beckons them to the
path of Your truth, justice, and mercy. We pray especially for: Donald, our
President; Tom, Chris, and Lisa, our Members of Congress; John, our Governor;
Matt, our County Executive; and Mike, our Mayor.
Christ,
Most Glorious
Let Your Light shine through us
~
O Lord, Our God, grant comfort and healing to all who suffer
in body, mind, or spirit, and lighten the hearts of all who give care and
support. We now join our
voices to pray aloud for those in need…
Christ,
Most Glorious
Let Your Light shine through us
~ O Lord, Our God, the darkness of grief eases
in knowing that those we have sent ahead, now live again in Your eternal
radiance. We pray especially for:
Christ,
Most Glorious
Let Your Light shine through us
~ O Lord,
Our God, we pause in this moment to
offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and
memorials, aloud or silently…
Christ,
Most Glorious
Let Your Light shine through us
~ O Lord, Our God, enliven and excite the spirits of all who lead us in Your
church, that they may be a beacon to guide us across this life’s troubled
waters toward the wholeness of eternal life in You. We pray especially for: Michael, our
Presiding Bishop; Kevin our Bishop; David, our rector; Lloyd, our Rector
Emeritus; Emily and Peter, our Associate Priests; and Maryann, our Lay Pastoral
Associate.
Christ,
Most Glorious
Let Your Light shine through us
The Celebrant adds: God
of gods, Lord of All That Is, arouse
our desire to ascend the highest peak our souls can reach, to be dazzled by the
heart of Christ ~ where Divine and Human connect ~ and to be transfigured in our own hearts and minds and wills.
We ask through Jesus, the Beloved Image of God, and the mystical breath
of the Holy Spirit within us, who together with You reign as One God, now and
forever. Amen.
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