Jesus'
transfiguration is truly quirky. Why are Elijah and Moses there? Why does Jesus invite Peter, James, and John? What's the whole thing with Jesus being transfigured anyway? What is the point of this miracle? It's really easy to wander off into the unanswerable points of the story. Such questions may actually offer us some security from what's at the heart of the matter.
There are occasions in Christian life as ignorant disciples when encountering God is terrifying. There are times when life creates unexpected moments of deep fear, reverence and awe of God's powerful presence. Such moments are scary, like it or not. We're about to encounter plenty more similar moments in Lent and Holy Week if we choose to continue on this Christian pilgrimage through such uncertain spaces and places.
What is reassuring to know that Jesus will not flee from us. We may not understand what's going on; nonetheless, God remains present throughout our lives. God's not interested in idols or idle faith. Jesus the Christ encourages his disciples to continue living. From the magi's arrival with gifts for The Messiah way back on the
Epiphany to James, Peter, and John's trek back down hillside toward Jerusalem here on
Transfiguration Sunday; Jesus is present: patiently, powerfully, prayerfully.
Later this weekend, our parish's Purpose and Vision team will begin their work of discerning how God is present and moving in our midst here at St. James. I doubt their time with one another will be as shocking as it was for the disciples when Jesus was transfigured in front of them. I do hope that Kelsee, Garyne, and the team members along with every member of the parish possess a deep sense of reverence and awe of God's purpose for us here. I hope even more that they along with all of us will continue to place our faith and hope in Jesus the Christ's abiding presence with us we enter the wilderness of Lent as well as the uncertainties of how our shared visioning process will unfold. Maybe we'll want to be like Peter and build places of security. Maybe we'll simply not understand and freeze up like John and James. God Willing, because we live on this rather than the other side of the Resurrection, we'll not remain stuck. Instead, we'll rise up and trust in the Holy Spirit's bidding because the faith and compassion we share with one another is awesome. God is stronger than our phobias and more brilliant than are dingy doubts that bind us to what has been rather than what may be.
Blessings Along The Way, Jim+