The Adventurous Lectionary – The Transfiguration of Jesus – February 15, 2015
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9
What is a transfigured life? Today’s readings are about glory and transformation. They invite us to see our worlds as “thin places,” transparent to the divine.
The transfiguration of Jesus occurs in one such “thin place.” Historically mountaintops are seen as places of revelation. They are literally, figuratively, and spiritually closer to heaven than the flatlands. The disciples are invited to see Jesus’ quantum reality. Divine light shines through his cells as well as his soul. While we seldom see the inner light of our companions, the story of Jesus’ transfiguration invites us to look for “more” in ourselves and others. There are angels in boulders and revelations in the commonplace.
The disciples rightly want to stay on the mountaintop. We want mystical moments to last forever in their purity. We want to savor falling in love without doing the dishes and changing diapers. We want God without all the complications of a life devoted to relational and social transformation. But, a full life leads us from contemplation to action, and from mysticism to dirty hands in bringing heaven to earth.
The apostle Paul speaks of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the revelation of God’s deepest nature and the deepest nature of the universe. This is not scientific truth, or a reality that can be objectively verified; it is the meaning that shines through the world of atoms, particles, rocks, and sunsets. The energy of love permeates all things. Only our vision prevents us from seeing the infinity of all things. God’s glory is veiled by our failure to look deeply into life settling for the surface rather than the inner life and light of all things.
The “ascension” of Elijah also stretches our imaginations. Elijah is journeying to meet God face to face. Unlike most mortals he will, according to the narrative, not die, but “go to the light,” encountering and being embraced by the wisdom and energy of God. Elisha wants to go with his teacher and mentor Elijah. Despite Elijah’s protests, Elisha follows his teacher on the path to immortality.
Finally, the two men must part. Elijah asks his follower what gift he would like to receive. Elisha says he wants a “double portion” of his mentor’s spirit. Elisha is not settling for wealth or power, but spiritual insight and energy. Our spiritual lives are not about settling for mediocrity, but aiming at great things – revelations of God’s spirit and energy to transform the world.
Psalm 50 continues this theme, emphasizing the light and glory of God shining through all creation.
The mysticism of today’s scriptures can seem unbelievable to many congregants. Yet, we live in a world in which descriptions of near death experiences (for example, Eben Alexander’s Proof of Heaven) become best sellers. We also hear of scientific studies on the power of prayer to change peoples’ health outcomes and the role of energy medicine to provide physical comfort and overall well-being. (See Bruce and Katherine Epperly, Reiki Healing Touch and the Way of Jesus and Bruce Epperly, Healing Mark’s: Spirituality and Healing in Mark’s Gospel.) While not invoking supernatural violations of cause and effect, we can nevertheless look for the miraculous present in everyday life. We can affirm that faith and prayer can shape our lives for the best and commit ourselves to see holiness in every situation and bring out the holy in others, especially the vulnerable and marginalized.
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