Word to the Wise
Monday, August 6, 2007 - The Transfiguration of the Lord
[DAniel 7:9-10, 13-14; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Luke 9:28B-36]We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, "This is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.
The great American poet, Robert Frost, wrote a wonderful poem entitled, REVELATION, the final lines of which go like this: "So it is from babes that play at hide and seek to God afar, so those who hide too well away must speak and tell us where they are!" I think of these lines when I ponder the event of Jesus' transfiguration. I've been to the top of the mountain, Mt. Tabor, which is traditionally identified as the location of this event. I was with a large group of pilgrims and there were other pilgrims up there as well. The original event was an intimate occasion. Jesus only took Peter, John and James with him. One can imagine that the setting which overlooks a vast part of Israel could contribute to what must have been a terrifying as well as mystical experience. Those three disciples were given an insight into the identity of Jesus that was probably beyond their powers of comprehension at the time. In one account, Jesus orders them not to tell the story till after his resurrection. In the gospel for today, they "fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen." Because of the unusual nature of the event, some scholars believe that the accounts are really experiences of the Risen Lord which have been retrojected into the narrative of Jesus' ministry. However, I am willling to take the Second Letter of Peter at its word. There seems no "cleverly devised myths" here to me. I think Jesus revealed himself in an extraordinary manner to these three disciples. In speaking of it much later on, the time, place and manner may have faded which would explain the differences in the accounts in the gospels. THAT it took place seems clear to the gospel writers and I think we have to settle for that. What is important is the realization that the Lord can and does reveal the divine nature to human beings like you and me. We don't have to go to Mt. Tabor. We do have to remain close to him as were those three disciples. Self-revelation is an intimate event, but intimacy with the Lord is available to all humans who wish to make the effort. Of course, we have to be willing to live with the consequences too! AMEN
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