Feast of the Transfiguration<\/a>. \u00a0Not originally as big in the Roman church as in other areas of the Christian universe, it finally made it to the West to commemorate a victory over Islam at Belgrade. \u00a0I guess you had to be there. \u00a0For me, it\u2019s a feast worth remembering, just like the story it calls to mind. \u00a0The Transfiguration is that moment in the Jesus narratives where the disciples should be given final proof that this is not just some Warrior David part II Messiah, but this is something else, something more. <\/p>\nAnd of course you have Peter, foot planted firmly in mouth, echoing what we all want when we experience those \u2018God moments.\u2019 \u00a0Can\u2019t we just stay here on the mountain? Forever? You\u2019ve had those, haven\u2019t you? \u00a0Something happens and you just feel God. \u00a0Something big, small. \u00a0You do something. A ministry. \u00a0I remember back in the day, in Seminary, in the fall of 1994, some friends and I started an Evangelism ministry. \u00a0It was a long story, and one that introduced me to the underside of ministerial politics.<\/p>\n
But at first, it was a bold vision for utilizing the resources of our seminary and taking them to smaller congregations and regions that couldn\u2019t afford the big names in Evangelism. \u00a0Our first revival was in Indiana. \u00a0I remember because we had tickets to the Ohio State vs. Indiana game, and were able to go because we were coming off a Friday Night service not too far from the Indiana home field. \u00a0We actually stayed with a family who went to the church where the revival was held. <\/p>\n
Anyway, the first night went wonderfully, Evangelical Christian-wise. \u00a0People rededicated, we discovered a fiery young preacher who just started in school name Shawn Merithew. \u00a0The place was hopping. \u00a0People were celebrating. \u00a0All was right with the world. \u00a0The Evangelism team all went out to eat at McDonald\u2019s afterward, and we were so on fire we could have jumped up on the tables and started a service right there. \u00a0We were telling everyone around us what we did, just as if we\u2019d won the lottery. \u00a0Not trying to convert people, but just sharing how awesome God was and how we\u2019d seen him at work.<\/p>\n
Sigh. \u00a0It didn\u2019t last, as I said. \u00a0I won\u2019t get into why. \u00a0But I could have stayed there that night and never changed a thing. \u00a0If the rest of my life felt like that, it wouldn\u2019t matter what else happened. \u00a0But that\u2019s not the way it is. \u00a0Just when we\u2019re on those mountaintops, when we have felt the presence of God, when all is right with the world, Jesus comes by and reminds us it\u2019s time to leave the mountain and come back down to \u2013 the troubles and trials of living. Because that is what they discovered when they came down. \u00a0Squabbling, failing, bickering, controversy. \u00a0The stuff of daily life. <\/p>\n
For Catholics, the Eucharist is described as the source and summit of Ecclesial life. \u00a0It\u2019s supposed to be that spiritual high, a divine pit stop for us to experience a moment in the very presence of the Real Presence itself. \u00a0And yet, it\u2019s not supposed to end there. \u00a0It\u2019s not even supposed to dwell there. \u00a0As wonderful as such an experience is, it\u2019s only there to remind us, to point us to what it\u2019s really all about. To put the story fresh in our minds, and prepare us to leave the cloistered halls of the church, and get back into the world where there will be Squabbling, failing, bickering, and controversy. \u00a0And to do so in order to go forth and make disciples of the world.<\/p>\n
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. \u00a0And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. \u00a0And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.<\/i> \u00a0Matthew 17.1-8 (KJV)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tomorrow is the Feast of the Transfiguration. \u00a0Not originally as big in the Roman church as in other areas of the Christian universe, it finally made it to the West to commemorate a victory over Islam at Belgrade. \u00a0I guess you had to be there. \u00a0For me, it\u2019s a feast worth remembering, just like the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2805,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1843","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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