Word to the Wise
Sunday, March 8, 2009 - Second Sunday of Lent
[Genesis 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-16; Romans 8:31B-34; Mark 9:2-10]This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.
. I have visited the location that tradition assigns to the Transfiguration of Jesus. One makes a terrifying cab ride up and down the mountain! On top the view is truly magnificent and the thought occurs that this is just the right spot for something like this event to have occurred. A problem arises, however, when we try to figure out what to do with this event in our own understanding of Jesus' life and mission! It seems to be a strange event, and a firghtening one to the three apostles who were there! Some scripture scholars argue that this is really a resurrection scene that was moved further forward in the story, but tradition does not support that position. Somehow, Jesus reveals (or is revealed) a speical relationship to God that the apostles would never have dreamed of! Placing the event in context may help a bit. It occurs in conjunction with Jesus' prediction of his passion and death and resurrection! If the apostles think they had seen something difficult to understand on the mountain, they had more coming to them that would test their faith to the fullest! What comes to the forefront, however, IS that special relationship that later Christian reflection would assign as the Second Person of the Trinity. In person, Jesus is God's own Son! It is our acceptance of that identity which is at the center of Christian belief. If Jesus is NOT God's Son, then who is he? This was fiercely debated for centuries and the lines still stand: THIS IS MY BELOVE SON. LISTEN TO HIM. If we believe this, then we will be able to face the rest of Christian faith with confidence. AMEN
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