Transfiguration B2: 2 Corinthians, Mark 9:2-9 “Transfiguration”
During the past few weeks, we have had an opportunity to contemplate a “spiritual awakening” that was experienced by the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. The man’s name is Bill W. and he has related through his writings a situation whereby his hospital room was lit with a great white light and he was caught up into an ecstasy which was beyond words. It seemed to him that he was on a mountain and that a wind, not of air, but of spirit, was blowing. At that moment it burst upon him that he was a free man.
Today’s Gospel lesson is such a story. Peter, James and John were taken to a mountaintop at Jesus’ bidding where a dazzling white light also appeared and Jesus was illuminated by it. It is hard to overestimate the significance of the appearance of Elijah and Moses for these three Jewish men, Peter, James, and John. Moses represented the Law, Elijah the Prophets, and Jesus the fulfillment of both. Let me show you how much of our Bible represents the Law and the Prophets, being aware that there is some “Wisdom Literature” interspersed as well.
What kind of impact would this event have had upon these sturdy disciples? How could one really put words to this occasion? Peter wanted the moment to last. He wanted to build dwellings for the three transfigured men. And then the magnitude of the event was deepened even more when a voice was heard to say “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” And then it was over.
Paul had such a moment on the road to Damascus when he encountered the risen Christ. The light was so bright that it rendered him blind. But the whole experience reoriented him so deeply that his life was never the same. By the Grace of God he was transformed from a man who loved to count other people’s sins to one who was energized radically to preach the Gospel—the Good News of Free Grace. You’ve heard me use that phrase numerous times, nearly every Sunday. “The Good News of Free Grace.” What exactly does that mean? For Bill W. it meant that he was a free man. He was free of the bondage of being alienated from his own true spirit. As many addicts will tell you, we human beings are our own worst enemies. We have lost the ability to live our lives in integrity. Integrity means we recognize in ourselves good and bad actions, beliefs, statements made to others. Because we drag these around endlessly and review them with regularity, we feel entitled to indulge in our addictions.
For Paul, that great defender of “the law,” grace meant freedom from trying to win God’s love through good, legal, proper behavior. Something in that encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus ripped away his old compass and gave him a new one. He no longer had to go around trying to win God’s love. It was right there all the time. Listen to these words once again:
“…we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”
Grace is undeserved merit. Grace cannot be earned. Grace may be received.
Mr. Bolson and I spent parts of 4 days in Estes Park last week at a clergy retreat. It was about a concept known as “Appreciative Inquiry.” I’m going to adapt some of the principles for our consideration this morning. In every person, group, organization or society, something works. That upon which we focus becomes our reality. Reality is created every moment, and there are numerous experiences of it. The act of asking questions influences people or groups. People have more confidence and comfort to journey to the future (the unknown) when they carry forward parts of the past with them. If we carry parts of the past forward, these parts should be what is best about the past. It is important to value differences. The language we use creates our reality.
I’d like to, in a playful manner, apply these notions to Paul’s story, because we know so much more about him, through his writings, than we do about Peter, James and John. I will now restate the assumptions using my understanding of Paul’s life and ministry.
Within Paul’s life, his encounter with Jesus worked: it brought him into Grace. Once he became reoriented, with his new compass, his focus in life began to be the energetic spreading of the Good News of Free Grace. In his own words, “Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” Paul’s experience of this reality was with him every moment and could change according to his audience and context. When others asked him questions, he was able to speak his truth according to their interactions with him. Paul felt very confident and comforted in carrying the Gospel with him. For him, the gift of Grace was a gem of his existence. Yet Paul was able to value differences in those he met. He fashioned his language so as to include, rather than exclude, anyone from the banquet table of God.
Would you now take a moment to reflect upon an experience in your life when you felt loved, connected, supported, accepted? Perhaps it was in relation to another person, perhaps it was in relation to God, perhaps it was in relation to yourself and your greatest potential. Perhaps it happened in worship, or while listening to music, or in a dream, or while watching the sunrise over the mountains. Perhaps it was during a warm hug, or while eating warm soup after being chilled to the bone. Maybe it was while you were reading scripture, or watching a movie…I could not say. Jot down a few words about this on your bulletin, please. (Pause)
Now sit with me as I guide you through a meditation about this experience. The experience I have remembered was real. I need not dismiss it as silly or sentimental. What I focus on becomes my reality. I choose to focus on this moment of splendor or warmth or acceptance as mine, and as real. I have more comfort and confidence in my journey when I acknowledge this experience as real. It is a part of my past that is of the very best. I value the different experiences of others and I use language that does not diminish either my experience or theirs. I acknowledge that all people are doing the best they know how to do. I acknowledge that the deepest longing of the human heart is for acceptance. I reject all notions of alienation, be it from myself, from others or from my Source. I want all people to gather around God’s table where each is seen, heard, contributes, and dreams.
It is safe to say that Bill W’s experience of bright light, indescribable ecstasy, the presence of the spirit, and total freedom changed not only his life but that of countless others. It is safe to say that those sturdy disciples, James, John, and Peter, were never the same after witnessing Jesus, in dazzling light, as the fulfillment of all of history, all of their prior teachings, all of their longings. And it is safe to say that the light that blinded Paul led to some of the most poetic and loving words ever penned about the nature of God. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Another application of this message will be offered at our Ash Wednesday service.
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