Many churches recognize this coming Sunday as Transfiguration Sunday, the bridge between the seasons of Epiphany and Lent.
The gospel reading from Luke 9 sets forth the story of Jesus, Peter, John, and James going up a mountain to pray. As he prayed, Jesus appearance was changed, and Moses and Elijah appeared with him. Luke says, They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
A cloud overshadowed this event, and Peter, James, and John heard a voice saying, This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him! The next day they came down the mountain where they were met by a great crowd, and a man who begged Jesus to cast an unclean spirit from his son. Jesus did so, and the people were astounded at the greatness of God.
When we pray in the Spirit, St. Paul tells us we are being transformed into the same image (the image of God) from one degree of glory to another (1 Corinthians 3.18; NRSV). When we are transformed, Gods grace can better flow through us into the lives of those around us. St. Paul acknowledges the significance of our transformation from one degree of glory to another when he continues, Therefore, since it is by Gods mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify Gods word; but by the open statement of the truth, we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God (I Corinthians 4.1-2; NRSV).
We all love a mountaintop experience whether physical or spiritual; we would like for it to continue. When in the mountains, I experience God in nature; I feel the call to worship. Leaving the mountains is always melancholic.
We must recognize that the mountaintop experience is merely preparation for what is to come. Moses could not remain on Mt. Sinai; he had to deliver the tablets.
After fleeing Jezebel, Elijah could not remain in his cave on Mt. Horeb, for God told him to return and anoint Hazael as king over Aram, to anoint Jehu as king over Israel, and to anoint Elisha as his own replacement. Jesus could not remain on the Mount of Transfiguration the cross and the resurrection were calling.
The second part of our Gospel reading calls us from mountaintop to ministry! It serves to remind us that prayer is preparation for what lies ahead perhaps that is why we are reluctant to truly pray.
At some level of our subconscious, do we know that prayer may be dangerous? Do we fear being transformed in Gods image from one degree of glory to another? Do we know that this will dramatically change our experience? Only the courageous are willing to be transformed!
If we are to truly pray, God usually has to bring us to our knees through allowing some set of adverse circumstances to touch our lives. These adverse circumstances, which we are prone to curse, to rail against, may simply be Gods mercy at work in our lives. Through this experience, we may come ultimately to experience the mountaintop, but let us remember, this is merely preparation for what lies ahead. We are being prepared for ministry to a world that is broken, bleeding, and begging. During Lent, let us pray; let us listen to him as God commanded; let us be courageous and faithful!
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