February 10, 2024 - The Last Sunday after Epiphany
Today is often called Transfiguration Sunday, primarily because the readings all echo a similar theme of being changed, or transfigured. Webster’s defines transfigure, which it notes is a distinctly British word, as “to give a new and typically exalted or spiritual appearance to : transform outwardly and usually for the better.”
Within the church, we are at the cusp of a change in season. We are moving from Epiphanytide to Lent. During the announcements, you’ll hear how the change in season will be marked by a change in our worship. Today, though, belongs not with Epiphanytide, nor with Lent. It is part of the liminal space between the two seasons. Today is a day of growing pains and crossing thresholds set off by the shock of coming face-to-face with the divine glory. In the Hebrew Bible reading, we have the glory of Elijah being taken “up to heaven by a whirlwind.” In the Gospel reading from Mark, we have the glory of Christ and his companions. In many ways, we start and end this season after Epiphany with revelations of Jesus’ fully divine and fully human nature. What we first encounter at the waters of baptism is further revealed in the Transfiguration.
But in both readings, the spectacle is only part of the story. That doesn’t mean that we need to tone down the wonder and glory. In fact, it’s why we use white vestments instead of green. We sing majestic praise to God, pulling out all the Alleluias before they are once again relegated to the pages of the Hymnal 1982 until Lent is over. We need reminders of the glory and the divine praise as we enter the shadows and gloom and doom of Lent and Holy Week.
The reading from Second Corinthians reminds us that God has blinded the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel. Part of our job as believers is to figure out how the Gospel might be veiled. We have a preferred way of worshiping here, but perhaps that way of worship no longer works for our world today. We must ask, “Have we lost reception with our hearers?” And if the answer is not a resounding no, perhaps it’s time to look at how we can reach out (or that dreaded E word – evangelize) in new ways.
But what do the encounters with the divine glory call upon Elisha, Peter, James, and John to do? And what do they call us to do? If Jesus wouldn’t let the disciples stay on that mountaintop and ponder the glorious sight that they had encountered there, we can be sure that we can’t either. We have to find ways for the awe and wonder in these texts to lead us to take up the mantle that Elijah and Jesus extend to each of us. The Psalmist says, “The mighty one, God…, speaks and summons… our God comes and does not keep silence… He calls to the heavens above and to the earth” (Ps 50:1,3,4).
We – as believers – have been commissioned to make new disciples. We have been given the task of finding ways to share God’s love and care for every single being in creation with those who might not know it yet. With those who don’t believe it. With those who have been flat out hurt by the church. We have to connect in new ways. And that takes courage and our own believe in what God is telling us to do.
So how can we take up the mantle? One way that I’ve identified this year is to take up a new practice of prayer. As we enter Lent, people like to deepen their relationship through prayer. For each of us, that might mean something different, but here are some options:
Daily devotions – pages 136-139 of the Book of Common Prayer. You can find a 2-5 minute devotion for each of four times of day: morning, noon, evening, and night.
Compline – pages 127-135 of the Book of Common Prayer. Look for at least one opportunity to gather together to pray Compline during Lent.
Forward Day by Day – produced by Forward Movement, the church subscribes to this daily devotional. You can pick up copies in various places around the church, but you can also head to their website at prayer dot forwardmovement dot org.
Hallow – you’ll see information around the church about the Hallow app. Some people like to use their phones for everything – and so this is one option. If you choose this option, be careful to watch for that free trial to end so you don’t get charged $70 for the year!
It is through praying that we build our relationship with God. We have an opportunity to hear from God – the divine – anew, each time we pray. And we have an opportunity to discern new paths forward each time God speaks.
I invite you to return to church this coming Wednesday for Ash Wednesday. Together, let us move from the mountaintop experience today and descend back into the dirt … and ashes … of everyday life with God and our neighbors. Let us be blessed to be believers who are charged with sharing the Good News.