Last Sunday of Epiphany 2014

Last Sunday of Epiphany 2014

Our Gospel reading today is a story that we regularly have at the end of Epiphany. Not only is the Transfiguration of Jesus one more really cool example of the power and presence of Christ being revealed (as per the meaning of the Epiphany season), but it also marks a shift in the Gospel narratives from Jesus’ teaching ministry to his focus on his journey to Jerusalem.

So, with that in mind, it makes sense that the designers of the Lectionary, in their infinite wisdom and creativity, should schedule this story as the Church prepares for its own shift to the season of Lent—and our own remembrance of the cross, and eventually the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.

Now, as to the story of the Transfiguration; Jesus (who has just told everyone that they need to take up their crosses and forsake their lives to follow him), takes James, John and Peter up onto a mountain. We’re told that while they’re there, Jesus suddenly begins to glow. It says that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white, and just as suddenly, Moses and Elijah appear standing near Jesus having a chat…

Peter, who was likely as confused as James and John says to Jesus, “Y’know, it’s really amazing that we’re here and all—shouldn’t we built tents for you and Moses and Elijah?”

We might wonder why he thinks this is a good idea to build tents—suffice it to say that it’s just the way they’ve always done it… And they really had always done it that way; we just have to remember the Ark of the Covenant, and all of the other really important things that they built tabernacles for…

Anyway, before Jesus can respond to Peter’s brilliant, if not orthodox idea—a cloud comes and overshadows them. The voice of God once again affirms Jesus as the Son of God; and when everything calms down, they see Jesus standing by himself, and he says simply: Get up and don’t be afraid.

Well, that’s easy for him to say. Because, I don’t know about you, but if I saw everything that just happened to Jesus happening to one of my teachers—well, I think a bit more than Ativan might be in order. I mean, even though they knew Jesus was the Son of God—that had all been cleared up at his baptism, and was regularly affirmed by his miracles—but then to also see Moses and Elijah, two men who lived thousands of years before, and were the personification of the Law and the Prophets standing with a glowing, shiny Jesus…well, that would be a lot to take in.

But, let’s be honest, ever since Jesus told everyone that they needed to go home unless they were ready to give up their lives to follow him—well, Peter and the boys were all at 6’s and 7’s. They were in too deep to turn back, but where Jesus seemed to be leading them didn’t seem all that safe, either.

However, if they were perhaps to judge everything based on what happened to them before the resurrection, maybe they would have left. However, after the resurrection of Jesus, everything started to make more sense—and whether it was the Transfiguration, or any of the other amazing moments that they experienced with Jesus—they couldn’t remain in those places and moments, because they were only pieces of the greater story. They needed to move forward so that they could experience the power and meaning of the resurrection.

Now, before we begin to feel that this story is too strange to have any practical application to our lives, consider Peter’s response to the situation. Obviously, there is some fear and trepidation at the cloud, the voice of God and seeing Moses and Elijah—but his response to seeing this amazing thing is that he wants to stay there and sort of enshrine the moment. However, as we well know, Jesus has a bigger mission in mind than to simply hang around with Moses and Elijah until the end of time—he’s trying to redeem all of Creation. And while we might find Peter’s apparent inability to get-with the bigger program a little tiresome; his response is understandable.

After all, how often do we find ourselves tempted to remain in the places that make us feel the most affirmed and good about ourselves? Maybe it’s not even that impressive—maybe it’s a matter of remaining just in the places where we feel ‘satisfied’ and safe… But whatever the situation, what is at stake if we choose remain in those places is the risk of stagnation. If, for example, we as people choose to stay at certain places in our life development, simply because we are comfortable—we know that we won’t grow into our fullest potential. In the same way, if an institution or church remains in a certain place, with a certain mindset simply because it’s satisfying, what will eventually happen is that the system will no longer be able to sustain itself, because it is no longer growing or developing.  

So, effectively what this reading calls us to remember is that we can never be satisfied to stay in one place or one moment—no matter how amazing it might be. Because where God may be leading us is far greater than each of the small satisfying moments along the way. And while growth and moving forward might be difficult, and even frightening for some—we still have to do it—because it’s really the only way to remain faithful to our call to be disciples of Jesus. This is not to diminish any anxiety that we might feel, however—after all, Peter and the gang was getting ready to follow Jesus to his execution. Instead, what we find for ourselves, at any precipice, or place of life change is this simple phrase from Jesus: “Get up, and do not be afraid.”