Dear Friends,
On Sunday we shall hear again the story of the Transfiguration. Mountains in the bible are always significant, as they represent being close to heaven and, therefore, close to the glory of God. The Gospels give us a number of instances where Jesus climbed a mountain to pray or teach, but also to be close to God. On the night he was betrayed, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray.
In the Book of Exodus, Moses regularly met with God on Mount Horeb. There is the most incredible passage in the Book of Exodus:
Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. God did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; also they beheld God, and they ate and drank. (Exodus 24:9-11)
Now, ‘seeing the God of Israel’ is not exactly as it appears in the English text. Moses had previously asked the Lord if he could see his glory face to face but was told by God that he would not be able to survive if he did. Nevertheless, we know that being close to the glory of God affected Moses, for his face shone with the reflected glory of the LORD.
What sets Christianity apart from all the world religions is the incarnation of Jesus Christ in which God’s glory is fully revealed. The beginning of John’s Gospel says it all: “the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14).
Jesus went up a mountain and took with him Peter, James, and John – where he would then be transfigured. The gospels tell us that his clothes became dazzlingly bright, and “a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)
Unlike Moses, Peter, James, and John were allowed to see God’s glory fully revealed in the face of Jesus Christ, and they did not die. In his great ‘High Priestly’ prayer to the Father in John’s Gospel, Jesus prayed these words: “Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory.” (John 17:24a) And as Paul says to the Corinthian Church, “it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6).
I remember ascending Mount Tabor during our parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We celebrated mass in a small chapel next to the great Church of the Transfiguration. The views from the mountain were breathtaking, and it was remarkably still and quiet. It reminded me of Elijah coming out of his cave, also on Mount Horeb, and how he discovered the LORD not in a great wind, earthquake, or raging fire, but rather a ‘still, small voice.’ As the NRSV poetically puts it – the sound of sheer silence. (1 Kings 19:11-12)
After his Transfiguration, Jesus had to come down from the mountain and he turned his face towards Jerusalem and his impending passion and death. This Sunday, we, too, will celebrate the glory of Jesus; we shall sing the word Alleluia for the last time until the Easter Vigil, and we shall turn our faces towards Holy Week and the Lord’s passion, death, and resurrection.
This week, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. Please make every effort to come to church and receive your ashes. Priests will be available for four hours to hear confessions, give absolution, or celebrate the ministry of healing with you. Take advantage of this opportunity for some ‘spring cleaning’ – after all, the word Lent is derived from the old English and German word for Spring! This year, we have shortened the solemn liturgies slightly, but the choir will still sing the beautiful Allegri Miserere. The sermon at 12pm will also be shorter.
Last Thursday, I was invited to speak at the rededication of the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel as they celebrated their 125-year anniversary. It was a wonderful event attended by Cardinal Dolan and other faith leaders. I was privileged to represent the Episcopal Church, and it was good to meet retired funeral directors who have served Saint Thomas Church so well over many years.
Affectionately,
Your Priest and Pastor,
Carl
