The Rev. Robert Lundquist       Transfiguration            8/6/06  St Paul’s, Ft Collins

Luke 9:28-36   -- Online Text --

In our Christian calendar we observe the Feast of the Transfiguration every August 8.  It is one of the few feasts that take precedence over the appointed Sunday readings and prayers.  So it is that today we turn our hearts to this event in the life of Jesus.

Transfiguration – metamorphosis; to be marked by a change in appearance.  In The Transfiguration something happened to Jesus.  His appearance became like that of the sun.  His clothes glowed with an unearthly brilliance.  Something also happened to the disciples’ eyes.  <Note to self:  make sure eyes are open to perceive the Divine>  What happens and what we see and perceive are key to faith!  “Let those who have eyes see.” 

We live in a culture obsessed with transfiguration.  Just look at the “Total Makeover” shows on the tube, and the fascination with face-lifts and Botox.  Or how about the science-fiction offerings like “Star Trek” that feature “shape-shifters,” aliens capable of changing appearance at will?  The disciples had changed too – not in appearance, but perhaps in enthusiasm.  How eagerly they leapt to follow Jesus when he invited, “Follow me!”  After a couple years they found themselves nodding off when he went to the mountaintop to pray.  <Yawn>  Perhaps the glow had worn off for Peter, James and John.

In Christian theology we say that the Transfiguration prefigures the Resurrection.  It is as if the Risen Christ appears for a moment, a promise of what is to come.  Before he heads into Jerusalem for his Passion, Jesus is clothed in Divine Light, to strengthen him and his followers for what is to come.

August 6 is also the anniversary of an enormous sin.  61 years ago today a nuclear bomb was dropped from a US airplane named the “Enola Gay” onto the Japanese city of Hiroshima.  The US government states that 20,000 lives were lost in the immediate blast, and that 237,000 died as a direct result of the explosion.  237,000. In a sudden flash of blinding light the Transfiguration was perverted in a sinful act of war against civilians.  What happens and what we perceive are key to faith.  Would that we come to perceive the face of God in all humanity, even in our “enemies.”

Jesus is on the mountaintop in today’s Gospel reading.  But the story is more about the disciples than it is about Jesus:

1.       Moses and Elijah drop in, maybe to offer a little coaching or mentoring to Jesus – “Well, what do you guys think?”  It’s bleary-eyed Peter who blurts out, “Wow!  God thing we’re here, Lord.  We’ll set you 3 up in your own little places, we’ll do a quick Habitat for Humanity thing for you.”  Maybe this was the first church building project proposal…

Your Vestry has been reading a very good book, entitled, When NOT to Build.  Perhaps this would have been good reading for Peter?  In any case, the Vestry has been excited by the themes laid out in the book.  One of the important points is that a congregation must build for the right reasons.  For church structures are tools.  They are not meant to be memorials or monuments – they are tools for ministry.

Jesus didn’t need buildings for his work.  But the world has changed, and the Body of Christ strives to reach into the world in the most effective ways.  The Vestry of St Paul’s is developing a 5-year plan, to be presented to you in November.  We will begin with a professional assessment of our plant.  We want to base decisions on the expected life-span of the different systems of our facility.  This is important work, prayerful work, and careful work.  “Wow, it’s a good thing we’re here!”  I hope we’ve learned from Peter’s overeagerness…

2.       “The disciples were terrified as they entered the cloud.”  It must have been truly scary, being enveloped by the unknown.  It’s not pleasant to be swallowed up in darkness without a clue.  I hope we know new that it goes with the territory.  The presence of God can be a cloud of unknowing.  There is by that name a classic book of Christian mystical spirituality, instructing the reader on how one undertakes to enter such a cloud.  The future is unknown – how is one to make the right decisions without that knowledge?  It is terrifying – until God speaks, and clearly.  “This is my Son.  Listen to him.” 

Before hearing God, things get murky.  Maybe it’s because we’re looking so much for God on the sunny days.  It is that cloud of unknowing that’s terrifying – and it’s the same cloud from which the Voice of God speaks.  We need to expect that overshadowing, that enveloping, when we seek God.

As a Church and as a Communion we find ourselves in the cloud of confusion.  Our world as well, in which terrible decisions have been and continue to be made, seems powerless in terror.  “Pray for the dead, and fight like hell for the living,” said Mother Jones, the union organizer of the 19^th century.  That’s one response to entering the cloud and being terrified.

3.       A Gallup poll of some years ago asked, “Have you had a religious experience?”  Where on the ranking do you think the self-identified Episcopalians fell?  Last?  No, in reality Episcopalians were are the top of the chart.  Between 70-80% of Episcopalians polled had had a religious experience.  The trouble is that Episcopalians are too much like Peter, James and John:  “They kept silent and told no one.”  Many of you, rather, most of you have a story of God presence and power to tell!  What happens and what you perceive are key to your faith.  What happens and what you perceive plus what you tell is the world-changing proclamation of the Gospel, the Good News of God in Christ Jesus.  You and I are called to proclaim that message in every moment by word and example.  It’s what we’re baptized to do!

The Rev. Suzannah Rohman is the Associate at St George’s, Arlington VA, the church in which I grew up, the church where my parents worship.  Suzannah is beginning her studies for a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evantson, IL (my alma mater).  She recently spelled out 4 myths believe in by stagnating churches and denominations:

1.       The Church is here for us.  No, a church must be for the community and primarily for those who don’t yet know the love of Christ.  A former Archbishop of Canterbury once said, “The Church is the only institution in existence for those who are not members.”  The Church must be in the business of giving itself away, after the example of Jesus.

2.       We must preserve the Episcopal Church.  No, the Church is a means to an end.  It is a dwelling, a booth, like Peter wanted to build on the mountaintop.  We love and cherish our Church, its ways and traditions, but our faithfulness to the Gospel and to spreading the Good News is our ultimate calling. 

3.       Unchurched people want to be a part of our Church.  No, people are looking for answers to the BIG questions rather than looking to join one more thing.  We know we don’t have all the answers, but we are growing in being able to ask them, together.  All we can claim to do is to act as “one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.”

4.       Mission is the responsibility of the clergy.  No – every Christian is the primary agent of mission.  The task of the clergy is to prepare and equip you for your calling!

Metamorphosis. 

A marked change in appearance.

 Transfiguration. 

Jesus.

You and me. 

Our Church. 

St Paul’s. 

We’re changing. 

It’s spooky. 

But we’ve got work to do and a story to tell. 

Amen.