Transfiguration Sunday

Transfiguration Sunday At A Loss for Words? Listen! 2/23 & 26/06

For reasons you likely understand, I’ve not often stayed up late to watch Saturday Night Live on television. In the few shows I have seen, the late comedian Chris Farley is memorable. I recall him as a talk show host, interviewing famous people, like Paul McCartney of the Beatles. As the interviewer, Chris Farley was obviously nervous in the presence of such a celebrity. He would stumble in his words, say moronic things, ask ridiculous questions, and then punish himself for his dolt-like-behavior. Ever felt like that? I have…the disciple Peter has.

Most of us have our own story of people---maybe ourselves---talking when we should have been listening…when little was being learned because so much was being said…when the conversation concludes, we have regrets about something we said. Many of us fear that moment when we may not have the “right” thing to say at the “right” time…the dreaded silence on a first date, during a hospital visit, at the funeral home, in conversation with our children or our parents or our spouse or our employer or employee. We seem more concerned about appropriate speaking than we are about active listening. It’s difficult to listen! Most of us would rather talk!

Our Gospel lesson for this week records Peter---the bombastic, impulsive fisherman become disciple---talking when he should have been listening. He means well, but he talks much! I’ve long believed that verses 5 and 6 of Mark 9 should be reversed in order, so to read: “Peter did not know what to say, they were so frightened. So Peter said …” First, the acknowledgement that Peter did not know what to say…the reason being that the disciples are “frightened”, and then Peter’s attempt to say something.

One clear lesson for us, though more easily comprehended than implemented, is revealed in this Transfiguration text. Whereas Peter…frightened, at a loss for words, still speaks…may we consider this more faithful and productive sequence. When something remarkable occurs; when we are frightened; when we are at a loss for words; rather than speaking, might we be quiet and listen to Jesus. Do you see the significant difference? When we experience something awesome, even frightening, keep quiet and listen for God. I wonder if, sometimes, God chooses to silence His voice because we refuse to silence our own!

One of our adult Sunday School classes is focusing on the topic “Hearing God”. The class, first, is addressing the basic question: “Does God really speak to people today?” I like the statement from one of the study guides: “If somehow we could mark with a yellow highlighter the messages from God that cross our minds, we’d see yellow daily!” Another significant question the class, and each of us, must address…based upon the belief that God does speak to people today… is: “How can I become a better listener?” That is the correction offered to, and through, Peter in our Gospel!

The three disciples on The Mount of Transfiguration were trembling with fear, as their centuries-dead forefathers in the faith miraculously appear and hold conversation with a Jesus who appears before them as never before. If that were not enough, a dense cloud or fog sets in, and the verbs used in vs. 7 to describe the cloud are: “overshadowed them”, “covered them, blotting out the sun”, and “enveloped them.” Then, to top it off, the voice of God, speaking the same words that God spoke at Jesus’ Baptism, booms forth from the heavens! The words echo around the caverns, careen off the crevices, and reverberate across the surrounding mountain sides. Then----silence. God acted, Peter spoke, God spoke, and everything was silent! The next voice is that of Jesus, ordering His disciples to keep all of this to themselves “until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”(9:9)

What is it like to stand in the presence of Christ and hear the voice of God? The Christian group, “Mercy Me”, puts this question to song: “Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine. I can only imagine.”

The account of the Transfiguration is one of those biblical texts meant to be enjoyed, wondered at, and relished with delight---like a glorious meal or awesome sunset---rather than picked apart, meticulously interpreted, and analyzed. Christianity is a revealed religion, “caught” not “taught.” God sent His Son, not a document. God sent not a study guide, but the actual Guide for us to follow…a gift, as celebrated at Christmas…a teacher, Whose word is truth and in Whose classroom we are to spend everyday…with quiet times…listening. Amen.