19 Feb SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2023

Scenes from both testaments remind us that God sends a variety of individuals to make a well-rounded group. As surely as need becomes apparent, God takes aim. I can’t think of a better example than when a congregation seeks a pastor, a pastor seeks a call, and they both end up happy. 

 In both readings, the main characters are given various companions for their journey. Everyone in the group has purpose. No one’s expected to travel alone or be stranded. Whoever’s there plays a role so that what needs doing gets done and so that needs people have are met, the definition of being church, together.

Let’s start with the fact that Moses had Joshua and Joshua had Moses. 

Elected leaders called elders were present to address group concerns. The leaders had each other in addition to the group. Like a law firm advertising on TV, Aaron and Hur hung a shingle from their tent that read, “Let us help settle your dispute.” 

In every scene, there are built-ins to help the group function, to add stability, quell uncertainty and help all parties manage. Everything God puts into place helps reduce daily anxiety and accomplish greater things, giving each member of the group a chance to witness God at work and on display.

That’s a good way to describe Transfiguration Sunday, a chance to witness God at work and on display. Things in the backdrop include a tall mountain whose peak is covered by clouds, fire that could be seen for miles, and a notable passage of time.

Through the gospel reading, we receive the testimony of Peter. We hear from an eyewitness who was on that high holy mountain, who heard our Lord receive honor and glory from God with his own ears when a voice from heaven declared, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” 

Eyewitness testimony is considered the next best thing to firsthand knowledge. All of us claim to “know” whatever we’ve experienced firsthand. No one can argue the weight of evidence behind life experience: things heard with our own ears, seen through our own eyes, experienced firsthand. Personal proof becomes our truth.  

But listen to what Peter says, “If we interpret what happens only from a human vantage point, our evidence is purely subjective. Subjectivity is skewed; human will has its own motives when qualifying what is truth or light. That’s why interpretation must come through the Holy Spirit which is God speaking directly. That’s not the same thing as taking scripture literally or saying God’s written word is infallible. Anything can be misinterpreted.

We only know what we know one of two ways: directly or indirectly, through our own experience or through others. It’s always our job to remain objective and weigh what we think is true. We have to compare what we experience firsthand with what we’re told. 

Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, a person’s life experience does inform how we interpret other broadcast content. A person does nothing wrong by letting their faith weigh in the balance in contrast to what’s claimed as “news,” “science,” “politics,” or ads aimed toward us living “our best life.” 

From our vantage point, we can trust what we know through our own lived experience. During baptism, communion, imposition of ashes,  anointing with oil, and through every worship service, we experience  signs of God working in our midst, and God’s glory on display.

Just like Moses had people, we have people. Jesus had people. Specifically that day he had Peter, James, and John along. The higher up they went, the more difficult the climb. Their journey parallels any trial that seems to increase in steepness: schooling, parenting, a job, significant relationships, contracted service, prolonged illness, or multiple losses. We wonder how, if and when the struggle will end.

Jesus knew his life on earth would soon end and just like prior to his ministry beginning, God personally encouraged him. God offered words. That’s why remaining open to hear from God is so important. 

We all face uphill battles: unwanted delay, surgery, recovery, learning to live without a person we love, performing unfulfilling jobs, doing more than we anticipated to maintain relationships or things we own. Jesus was transfigured, which meant he changed in form or appearance. But what’s more important is that transfiguration meant something big was happening inside.

Something inside made Jesus’ face shine like the sun. Something inside made his clothes dazzling white. Change was happening and God sent companions to all characters in the scene, not just Jesus. Moses traveled with Elijah. God proved that timing is vital to divine purpose. 

The timing wasn’t right for Peter to set up temporary dwelling places. The timing wasn’t right for the disciples to tell others what they saw. When the timing was right, everything and everyone would fall into place. 

When offered the chance to graduate early from seminary, the first person I contacted was Michael, my brother. I told him, “I don’t want to graduate early if it means you won’t be there.”

You see, in 1976, he asked for permission to miss my high school graduation. He wanted to join his girlfriend on a cross-country trip. His absence didn’t really bother me. I was happy enough by being done with high school, moving to Northern VA, and starting nursing school. 

Michael asked if I’d invited Dad. I replied, “Dad already made it clear his days of traveling to special events are over.” Several weddings and graduations had occurred recently without him going. My brother hung up after saying he’d try to take off from work. He also called my dad who responded surprisingly with, “I think it’s important that we go.”

Peter also knew that it was good for them to be there together, as it is also good for us to be here together, so we, too, have company, so we too, can mark momentous occasions with others present. Think about everyone who must take dialysis or some other treatment. Almost always, there are others there among them doing the same. Every time we enter a waiting room, office, store or line, we are reassured and comforted that we’re not the only ones in this boat.

The other day while on the phone, I was put on hold numerous times for longer than desired. The first time I got cut off after more than ten minutes of waiting. The representative had said, “Hello,” then paused. Again, she said, “Hello.”  I answered back twice without being heard before she hung up. After waiting again, when a representative finally answered, I rushed in practically yelling , “Hello. Hello. Can you hear me?” Afterward the representative said, “Yes; I can hear you.” To her credit, she listened while I explained what had happened thus far.

But the third time, took the cake. After listening to a recording that repeatedly said, “Because of the personalized attention we give each caller, you may experience a brief delay.” Ha! A brief delay! Once someone answered I said, “Are you aware that I’ve waited more than thirty minutes?” She replied, “Yes ma’am. We have something that tells us exactly how long people are waiting. How can I help you?” 

After all that I’d been through, someone finally diffused all of my frustration and anger by truthfully acknowledging what occurred. By remaining calm and offering to help, she eliminated all anxiety. Her voice became the one I listened to, like the voice of God speaking from a cloud. 

What makes you angry or anxious? Are you like me, someone who starts out reasonably calm, only to grow increasingly annoyed as things don’t go according to plan, who eventually decides the way things are being done is just plain unsatisfactory, inefficient at the very least?

That’s often when God overshadows our plan, when we are forced to realize that our timing may not be right or our ideas bear little resemblance to what God’s thinking. God’s Word has power and something to say. Perhaps today, the word is “change,” so we’ll become transfigured, like Jesus, outwardly changed in form or appearance because of what’s actually happening inside.

A voice from a bright cloud addressed them all, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.” Imagine hearing that for yourself. You are hearing that for yourself. Might you, as a disciple, become likewise overwhelmed or awed as God’s Word and voice overpowers your emotions? 

This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.

When was the last time anything moved, affected, shook or made you  speechless? It’s easy for me to remember my graduation day, when my husband, brother, Dad, son, daughter, cousins and a few surprise friends showed up. The occasion was no less powerful than having Jesus lay his hand on me and say, “Get up, Nancy. Don’t be afraid.” 

No other occasion had come true for me this way. There was always someone missing or a reason things didn’t turn out as expected. Prior to that day, big things went unfinished, timing wasn’t right. As things turned out, previous choices made did not define my destiny, and my interpretation of the past hadn’t missed the mark of God’s divine plan.

The same is true for you. Jesus is waiting to touch and God is trying to deliver words. For today’s activity during the sermon, how about every person bow their head and close their eyes? No one is watching, but God. 

Think about what overwhelms or overcomes you of late. Perhaps it is fear of success or fear of loss, fear of living or fear of dying. Whatever seems threatening, hear Jesus say, “Get up. Do not be afraid.” Feel his touch. 

After doing so, look up at the image of Jesus alone in the stained glass window on the east altar wall. If you follow those instructions, you’ll experience what the disciples experienced, too. When you look up after being bowed down, you’ll see no one except Jesus himself, alone.

Let’s take just another moment to focus our attention, and hear God’s voice say, “Don’t be afraid. This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”  

If it doesn’t happen today, keep trying. Eventually, you’ll experience change. Sit with God and talk about what you need and what you expected from this journey called life. Ponder what it means to realize that the Transfiguration of Jesus was not just a vision, but a sign of internal transformation, a time when God was at work, demonstrating power to change, giving courage, and displaying his glory. 

Because of what God does and who God is we can share the testimony of Jesus’ disciples. Let us pray. Lord, nothing compares with your ability to connect people to you and to each other through everyday and remarkable circumstances. Help us listen to your voice and feel for your touch as it comes through lived experience and to know when we’re resisting input because we don’t desire change. In Your Holy Name we pray, Amen.