Pastor's Letter 20230305 - 5 March 2023 - Our Transfiguration

Father Michael · March 4, 2023

March 5^th, 2023

Second Sunday of Lent

A Message from Father ^_†Michael

Today’s Theme:

“Our Transfiguration”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

(Genesis 12: 1-4) All who believe in one God are children of Abraham, and proof of God’s power to keep His promises.

Throughout the centuries, patriarchal “sagas” have inspired and sustained the faith of Jews, Christians and the adherents of Islam. Within them are essential truths, around which have been woven a magnificent tapestry of fiction, legend, tradition and myth. Rather than merely “symbolic,” however, scholars widely hold that Abraham did, at one point in human history, respond to God’s call and was “transfigured,” to become the father of the people of God. His response, and that of other men and women, such as the patriarchs, have made the “will of God” a reality in human existence, culminating in the life and mission of Jesus Christ—and through Him, Christ, in His Church. The promises made to Abraham made him a futuristic figure—pointing ahead to the exodus of Israel to Sinai and to Canaan.

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(2 Timothy 1: 8-10) The Christian knows that life may be difficult at times, but he/she is confident and well-equipped for any exigency.

^†Paul’s letters to ^†Timothy and ^†Titus are generally grouped together due to a similarity in content style and theology—and have been called the “pastoral epistles.” They were intended to be an aid to spiritual leaders of the Church, particularly Ephesus. Besides the internal persecution caused by heresy and false teachings, todays Reading reflects a situation of political persecution as well. To all these problems, including ^†Timothy’s lack of self-confidence in his leadership skills and health, ^†Paul suggests one answer: Through Jesus Christ comes grace, and by that grace, the Christian can become “transfigured,” and victorious over all hardships, sin and even death.

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(Matthew 7: 1-9) There is no greater power of personal transfiguration than love.

Some scholars believe the Transfiguration to be an anachronism, a post-resurrection appearance, projected “back” onto Jesus’ ministry—think: the Ascension. Others see it as a theological effort of the early Church to explain Jesus’ mission as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. While probably grounded in some very real experience on the part of the disciples, over the centuries it has been reconstructed and embellished so as to be a useful teaching tool for evangelization for the Church. The Transfiguration presents Jesus, experiencing a foretaste of His future glory of “Jesus the Messiah.” ^†Matthew depicts Him as the “new Moses”—with a New Law for a New Israel. Christ, as the embodiment of all wisdom, was shown to be the teacher of God’s mysteries. Moses and Elijah, representing the Old Law, teach, by their presence, that Jesus is the conclusion toward which both law and prophets moved the people. By His Incarnation, Jesus Christ brought into human existence the radiance of divinity. “Transfigured” for His disciples, Jesus pointed beyond the cross to His sovereignty over all peoples.

A Peak Experience

Our experiences affect us much more profoundly than do talks or lectures. Even though we may not be able to analyze them, we know they influence us (for good or ill,) and continue to do so, sometimes for years, afterwards.

Jesus’ Transfiguration on Mount Tabor had great significance, first of all, for Jesus, Himself. It came at a crucial moment in His public life—at the start of His journey to Jerusalem. He knew that the same fate awaited Him there as befell all the prophets—violent death. Being wholly-human, naturally, He recoiled from such a fate. In order to reflect and pray about it, He climbed to the top of Mount Tabor, taking ^†Peter, ^†James and ^†John with Him.

While there, He felt himself comforted, reassured, affirmed and strengthened for the ordeal ahead. He still had to face a dark and threatening future, but He knew it was what His Father wanted from Him.

The experience was also of great importance for the three apostles—confirmed by their faith in Jesus—and helped them to face the dark future with Him.

The Transfiguration could be called a “peak experience,” similar to those many of us have had. Ours may include light, peace, unity, joy, exhilaration or meaning—and the presence of God—true moments of grace. They may have been triggered not only by prayer, but by poetry, music, nature, etc. More often, however, they are likely to be the result of suffering some painful struggle.

Occasionally, in His love for us, God allows us to taste the joys of the world to come—on earth—by giving us glimpses of the “promised land,” towards which we travel in faith. Though these experiences may be very beautiful, they should not become a preoccupation, for then religion would degenerate into a search for “highs.” Too much emphasis on “peak experiences,” which, by definition, are rare and unpredictable, narrows the scope of God’s influence in our lives, and renders the rest of life religiously unimportant. The sacred dimension is always present, and, in a strange way, the low moments may be just as enriching as the high ones.

After Jesus’ wonderful experience on the mountain, He had to go back and resume His journey to Jerusalem. Similarly, we also have to “come down from the mountain,” into the plain or valley of ordinary life. True faith does not encourage escape from life, but helps us to commit ourselves more deeply to it.

Emily Dickinson expressed this, beautifully, when she wrote:

Exhilaration is the breeze that lifts us from the ground, and leaves us in another place whose statement is not found;

Returns us not, but after time we soberly descend, a little newer for the termUpon enchanted ground.

Disfiguration and Transfiguration

Picture an old oil lamp. Covered with layers of dust and dirt, it might look wretched and useless. But if someone comes along, cleans off the layers of dirt, and polishes it until it begins to sparkle, and then lights it, suddenly, the lamp is transformed. It positively glows, radiating light and beauty to every corner of the room. Whereas prior to this, it was disfigured by dust, dirt and neglect, now it has become transfigured with beauty…yet, it is the same lamp. When objects (or people,) are loved and carefully attended, they are redeemed and rendered brighter, and more worthwhile.

Of two potentialities, one for evil, and one for good, each of us has within us, consider the potential for evil. Human beings are capable of hatred, bitterness, cruelty, greed, envy, lust, etc. These ugly things bring out the worst in us, corrupting the heart. In turn, corruption of the heart coarsens the face and darkens the eyes. Evil disfigures us.

Now consider our potential for good. We are capable of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, mercy, compassion, and so on—beautiful things that bring out our best selves—that purify the heart. Purity of heart softens the face and causes the eyes to shine. In this way, God transfigures us.

Basically, we are transfigured by things we love, that excite us and move us; by what rouses our spirit and causes us to awaken and be alive—things that show us at our brightest and best.

Sometimes, when we feel “down,” and prey to feelings of failure and worthlessness, suddenly, something nice happens to us—a friend calls, or we receive a letter, text or email with some good news—and we are changed. The truth, of course, only our attitude is changed, infused with a spark of joy, hope or love, kindled in our hearts. Then, we see ourselves, and our lives, in a new and better “light.”

Because we are made in the image of God, we carry the splendor of divinity within us. Like the lamp, virtue causes that image to shine and so, transfigures us.

May God Richly Bless You!