The Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6, Deacon Hopkins)

Today we celebrate a glorious event in Jesus’ life on earth —the Transfiguration. In our music and in our scripture, we are invited into the scene of heaven meeting earth with Jesus Christ at the center.

The lessons tonight contain two stories of dramatic experiences of humans encountering God. In the first lesson it is Moses’ followers who witness the event, actually events, as each time Moses went up the mountain to encounter God, his face shone so brightly that he had to cover it when he came off the mountain. In the gospel, it is three of Jesus’ disciples, Peter, John, and James who see this same light shining in Jesus’ face as he prayed. In both readings, those who watched were overwhelmed by what they saw and heard. There were heavy clouds, bright lights, glowing faces and visions of the giver of the Law (Moses) and the greatest of prophets (Elijah). The disciples, we are told, also heard God speak, using words they could understand. God called Jesus his beloved son and instructed those present to listen to him. These living, breathing humans were given the gift of knowing without a doubt, that they were in the presence of God. How spectacular!

While we gathered here this evening, may not have had an exact replica of these events, I wonder, have you ever had such an experience? Has there ever been a time for you when you have known, known in your body that you were in God’s presence? 

Many of us have traveled to the mountains or been to the ocean. We’ve seen sunsets over the water and looked out over the cliffs and marveled at the magnificence of God’s vast creation. 

We have had the aesthetic experience of appreciating the beauty of the world around us. However, today’s biblical experiences were holy events, not just aesthetic ones. Have you ever witnessed such a holy event? 

  Maybe your theophanies were not as dramatic as these described in today’s lessons, but I feel certain that some of us have had similar experiences. These moments can happen most anywhere. Perhaps you were on a mountain top as in the lessons today, or maybe in a church, or sitting with a person near death or even looking at the vast expanse of central Illinois cornfields! Theophanies can happen anywhere.

Perhaps you have not had such a first-hand experience. Don’t worry, you are in good company. Remember only three of Jesus’ disciples saw the transfiguration with their own eyes. The other nine heard about it and experienced it through the others’ words. 

Whether it was a personal experience or something you learned about vicariously, I ask you to recall when and where you were, at the time you knew without a doubt, that you were in the presence of God. Remember, for a minute. Where were you; what did you see or hear or feel?

What was your reaction? 

Perhaps like Peter you wanted to stay right there in the moment. “Let’s build some dwellings and remain here.” Maybe you just took it in, paused, became quiet and focused on breathing.

Or maybe you wondered about your own perception of reality. “Is this really real?”, you may have thought. In hearing another’s experience you may have doubted the truth of their words, at least at first. 

Or perhaps, like the Israelites during the exodus, you were so overcome you could say or do nothing; your awe at what you were experiencing caused you to stop, you froze in both time and place. Holy fear overtook you.

All of these are possible reactions: wonder, skepticism, fear, inability to move, and awe.

I ask you to recall how you reacted in the moment, when it happened to you, or when you first heard of it happening to another.

And then, what is it like now when you remember it? 

Most likely, I would expect most of us to be like Peter, in that over time the spectacular nature of what happened faded but the memory of it brought strength and comfort in tougher times. In today’s epistle, this was true for Peter as he faced his death. He had seen God’s glory and knew he would see it again.

The disciples saw and heard about Christ’s transfiguration prior to the agony of his crucifixion and death. This must have brought them much comfort as they sought to comprehend the glory of his resurrection. 

For the Israelites, seeing Moses come down from Mt. Sinai, having spoken with God and glowing with being in God’s presence gave authority to the words he taught. Certainly Peter, John, and James had a different respect for Jesus and his authority as God’s son, following the Transfiguration.

This strength came from reflecting on what had happened to them. At the moment these glory-filled moments occurred, they were not even able to describe it. The awe of the realization of being in God’s presence is not easily described in words. One knows it has happened. It is through reflection, the value and meaning of the occurrence becomes clear.

We each are invited to glimpse God’s glory, whether in our own remembrance or in hearing the stories of holy scripture. We are called to pause and reflect on these rich experiences. And then we can draw strength and courage from having met God in these spectacular moments. Our belief in God’s authority is strengthened through these glimpses.

Tonight we hear of heaven meeting earth, with Christ as the center.

“Jesus took with him Peter, and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem…A cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.”

 Tonight we bask in this description of God’s glory and give thanks that we share in Jesus’ life.