Last Sunday after the Epiphany – Year C. February 27, 2022.
The Transfiguration.
On this, the last Sunday of the season we call Epiphany, we focus on an event we know as the Transfiguration. The New Revised Common Lectionary, the ordered reading of scriptures that we follow, has encouraged us to shape our seasons of the church year so that they begin and end with high points. The long season of Pentecost, or Ordinary Time, begins with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and ends with the celebration we call the Reign of Christ. The Epiphany season begins with the visitation of the Magi to the infant Jesus and ends with Jesus’ mountain-top experience described in today’s Gospel reading. In Luke’s telling of the event, after Peter has declared his understanding of Jesus as Messiah, and after Jesus has declared what the road ahead holds for him and for those who follow him, eight days after all of this, Jesus and three chosen disciples climb up to a high place. It seems that the three followers fell asleep, while Jesus prayed. Peter, James, and John are startled from their slumber by an amazing, and probably disturbing, vision. Jesus has been joined by two others, well-known from Hebrew scriptures – Moses and Elijah. Luke says that they appeared “in glory”, which we suppose could mean some degree of radiancy. But it is Jesus who is described more fully here: Luke describes it this way: “the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.”
The story unfolds as Jesus converses with Moses and Elijah, and Luke’s gospel reveals that the topic of their discussion was Jesus’ coming departure – his exodus – which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. The visitors exit, Peter makes a pitch to build something permanent for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, and the voice of God is heard from the cloud that surrounded them – “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”
Countless libraries contain countless books that attempt to make sense of this event. Many suggest various ways to read meanings into the story – moral and ethical suggestions about what this or that snippet might mean. I would guess that many of us have heard sermons that focussed on the “mountaintop experience” and what coming back down to the bottom of the mountain might signify. I think I might have preached such a sermon myself in my time. With time has come the realization that maybe we aren’t called to make any sort of logical sense out of passages such as these, but rather to see them in some way as part of the mystery of the God we worship. The story of Jesus’ transfiguration may have less to say to us about our life, and more to say to us about Jesus’ life – his identity, his mission, and his relationship to God. “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” These thoughts and ideas had shaped my preparation for today.
But – such is the life of one called to preach that the sermon preparation often begins under one set of circumstances, with the choice of a theme or biblical event – but then, all too often, life gets in the way. The focus quickly changes, the initial topic becomes difficult to reconcile with what we are experiencing in the world around us. This is where I find myself now.
We have witnessed and are witnessing a political act of aggression that leaves us all at the very least concerned, and, further along the scale, fearful, and perhaps even more. And it’s not the only event that has occupied our thoughts in the last few weeks. The pandemic has shaped, or should I say, reshaped our lives now for two years. The phrase “Freedom Convoy” probably also comes to mind, as well, with the disruption to the lives and livelihood of many. But surely the act of war perpetrated by Russia on the autonomous country of Ukraine and its people is indeed a most serious and unacceptable breach of world peace and orderly living. Some of us may have family or friends with relatives living in Ukraine. We worry for their safety and their future. History is all too quick to remind us of similar acts of aggression and of their outcomes. Each day brings stories of bombing, destruction, injury and death, but also stories of bravery, of determination, and of commitment to defend and protect both the country and its people.
So how can the story of Jesus’ transfiguration speak to us in the midst of world events?
Moses was called by God to lead his people out of bondage and slavery into a new land and into freedom. Moses, the only one to see God face to face, had to cover his face because of its shining brightness in these encounters. Elijah’s actions as well were focused on standing up for the rights of others.
Jesus’ mission and ministry was predominantly with the marginalized, the dispossessed, the poor, and other victims of society. And in the stories of these, and others in the scriptures, we look for and hear a message of hope.
We pray for peace in all its forms and in every situation where peace has been displaced by war, violence, and disruption: in our families, in our communities, in our world. Perhaps this is the first thing we can all commit to doing. To follow the biblical injunction to “pray without ceasing” can be understood to mean to pray regularly and pray with intent.
Jesus at his transfiguration was surrounded by the presence of God so that “his face was changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.” May that bright light of God’s presence and of God’s love be with the people of Ukraine, with world leaders, and with us, and may peace overcome enmity, disunity, and violence.
The Reverend Paul Kett
Angus Sinclair was appointed Director of Music of St. John the Evangelist on February 1, 2023. Having graduated in 1981 (Honours B.Mus.) in organ performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, he went on to distinguish himself as a church musician, recitalist and accompanist touring in both Canada and the UK. For over 40 years Angus has served parishes and congregations throughout Southwestern Ontario as director of music. He experiences his present appointment to St. John’s as a welcome homecoming, both spiritually and musically.
As our parish musician, he provides both support and leadership so that a variety of parish programs can find musical expression and attract participation. When our handbell choir is in season, he is one of our ringers. At parish dinners, he provides popular piano music for the guests to dine by. For both worship services and concerts, he will rehearse and accompany vocal and instrumental soloists from our congregation on piano, organ, or even accordion.
Angus Sinclair was appointed Director of Music of St. John the Evangelist on February 1, 2023. Having graduated in 1981 (Honours B.Mus.) in organ performance from Wilfrid Laurier University, he went on to distinguish himself as a church musician, recitalist and accompanist touring in both Canada and the UK. For over 40 years Angus has served parishes and congregations throughout Southwestern Ontario as director of music. He experiences his present appointment to St. John’s as a welcome homecoming, both spiritually and musically.