Living in Coronavirusworld 247: Transfiguration

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the snow remains....

Tonight our Bible study turns to Mark 9:2-9, the lectionary gospel for Transfiguration Sunday. This is one of those “gateway” holy days, like Christ the King and Trinity Sunday, that lead us from one season to the next. In this case from Epiphany to Lent. The season that began with the shining star of Bethlehem ends with one final blast of light. 

(We find the same story in Matthew 17: 1-8 and Luke 9: 28-36.)

Our story begins six days after Jesus’ first prediction of his passion. With him are Peter, James and John, his inner circle. Perhaps his “rock,” his brother and the “disciple Jesus loved.” They turn up together often in Mark, eventually in Gethsemane.

One o the issues here is the essence of transfiguration as opposed to transformation. It’s a word we don’t use often. One example is in Julia Ward Howe’s “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;

As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free!

While God is marching on.

Her sense of an apocalyptic moment in the US Civil War, especially as relates to the abolition of slavery. 

In the Roman and Orthodox traditions, the Transfiguration occurs on August 6th, the day of the incineration of Hiroshima in one blinding flash of light that literally vaporized people. What does transfigured mean in the light of that light?

Jesus’ clothes became “dazzling white,”  something that occurs again in the Easter scene where the young man in the empty tomb is dressed in “dazzling white.” (16:5)

Jesus is seen with Moses and Elijah. Peter, impulsive as always, wants to build three booths. (Like the booths of the Sukkot holiday.) The three dimples were “terrified,” ie, awestruck. (Again, echoed in the Easter story where the worm left and said nothing because they were afraid, filled with terror and amazement. A voice is heard, echoing the voice at Jesus’ baptism declaring “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Only this time the voice is directed not to Jesus, but to the disciples…listen to him…And Jesus again tells them to “tell no one…”

This has been for them a mountain top experience. And naturally they want to stay. But Jesus makes it clear you can’t stay, you have  to go back down and continue the journey, continue the work. 

What can we say about transfigured versus transformed? Transformed

Is change that takes place inwardly, from the inside out. Transfigured is a change that is external, a change on how we se and understand what is in front  of us.

What do the disciples see and understand on this mountaintop? Moses had the fire of the burning bush that was not consumed. Elijah had the fire of his  contest with the priests of Baal where God ignites his water soaked offering. Moses represents the law, Elijah the prophets. Moses’ grave is hidden.Elijah taken from earth by a flaming chariot. 

Amy Jill Levine has pointed out that in addition to their mysterious deaths, both were also rejected in their time. Thus we see in these two the content and direction of Jesus ministry. 

Matthew 22: 38-40

38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[a] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Amy Jill Levine has pointed out that in addition to their mysterious deaths, both were also rejected I theft time. This we see in these two the content and direction of Jesus ministry.  

We think of our own mountaintop experiences…a birth of a child, participating in a transcendent performance, seeing a breathtaking vista. These experiences can never last. We need to be inspired, informed snd nourished by them and then back to business. 

We remember once agin that once John Dominic Crossan was asked if he prayed. He was silent for moment and said, "I study. And when I study, I feel close to God.”

So let’s paise and enjoy this light before beginning our Lenten journey. And as we return to our witness and our work, we might well contemplate what the significance of Transfiguration is in this year in the light of our ongoing struggle with covid, the beginning of vaccinations, and the second impeachment of (former) President Donald J. Trump.