Sunday, August 6, 2023
/The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Peter 1:13-21; Luke 9:28-36
The Rev. Jeff Bohanski
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
A lot has been said about the story of Jesus’ transfiguration. Here are some fun facts about these readings. This story comes up twice each year in the lectionary. The first time we hear it is the last Sunday of Epiphany, the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. It is interesting to note that the last Sunday of Epiphany is about halfway between Christmas and Easter. The second time we hear it is today, August 6th. The Feast of the Transfiguration. Again, it is interesting that we find ourselves about halfway through Ordinary Time. This tells me that the creators of our current lectionary felt this story to be quite valuable. This leads me to think, perhaps we should pay attention to it and integrate it into our own personal theology and spirituality.
It is also important to note that all three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) include this story. It is also important to note that the author of the Second Letter of Peter that we just heard mentioned it outright. It seems to me that the members of the early church certainly found this story to be very important. A lot of our understanding of who Jesus was and is comes from this story.
Concerning the part where Jesus speaks to Moses and Elijah about his departure, biblical commentator N.T. Wright writes an interesting piece that I think is important and some here today may find it noteworthy. N.T writes:
“In his death Jesus will enact an event just like the great Exodus from Egypt, only more so. In the first Exodus, Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and home to the promised land. In the new Exodus, Jesus will lead all God’s people out of slavery of sin and death, and home to their promised inheritance — the new creation in which the whole world will be redeemed.”
This summer I have been doing what I like to call hiking, some would call it walking. I’ve been putting in between 4 and 6 miles a day. I’ve walked many miles to and around Memorial Park. Some miles have been hiked/walked along The Buffalo Bayou. I’ve even done some hiking/walking in Galveston, and on a hill near Giddings, TX. Because of this current heat streak, we find ourselves in, I’ve walked many, many miles on our treadmill listening to books and watching scenic YouTube video tours from all parts of the world and in a few different seasons. This last week, the winter mountain videos have been especially appealing.
So, this August, when I hear the story of Jesus’ transfiguration, it strikes me as a hiking story. Wouldn’t it be great to take a hike with Jesus! In my mind’s eye I can see Peter, John, and James packing their gear and Jesus reminding them to pack nothing, just like the time he sent them out in His name. Remember, God will provide the rest. I can see Jesus smiling to himself because he knows what is about to happen to these three unsuspecting apostles.
I can see Peter stumbling up that mountain like I stumbled up my hill near Giddings. I imagine a smiling, caring Jesus reaching out his hand to help Peter and the others negotiate the rocks like I negotiated the rocks on my hill. I can imagine the look of amazement and awe the three apostles gave Jesus as they headed down the mountain after hearing those all-important words from the cloud, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”
I wonder what the world, or just each of us, would be like if we would actually listen to the words of Jesus. Can you imagine the stress we would miss if we would listen to and incorporate the words of Jesus when he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:20b) Or “Do not fear.” (Luke 8:50a) or even “Peace be with you.” (Luke 24:36)
In my world, school is about to start. I’ve already begun receiving emails and texts about the return of teachers on the 14th. Last week an email had been sent out informing teachers that our school will be open next week if we “want” to come in and get started on our rooms. Not a day goes by that I don’t hear something in the news or on my Google feed about the state takeover of the district and the upset it’s causing. My stomach has already begun to turn as I feel the stress of the start of a school year that looks to be quite unpredictable.
Friends, I have come to accept that this may be a very tumultuous year. The last few certainly have had their unique challenges. I suspect many of us here today may also have many stressful things happening. Perhaps it’s the stress of taking care of an aging parent, or you are the aging parent. Perhaps you are dealing with health issues, or you are taking care of someone with health issues. Perhaps it’s the stress of taking care of school aged children or perhaps you are a school aged person dealing with your parents.
This week I’ve decided to listen to my own sermon and strive to incorporate those words of the cloud into my life. “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” I invite everyone here today (and online) to join me in this.
Together as a community of faith, lets confess when we have done wrong to ourselves or to others and trust in Jesus’ words, “friend, your sins are forgiven.” Let’s let go of the guilt. Together, let’s strive to put faith in Jesus’ love, strength, and compassion above all our fears. He will be with us. Let’s have Jesus do the judging, not us. And together, let’s strive to live in the peace of Christ that the Father and the Spirit intends for us. Amen.