We would not be very surprised
to hear about people feeling "down" or "in the pits" these days. There are
crosses being borne by many. Just when life was looking so hopeful, difficult
economic times developed. As international relations seemed to be brighter, war
is a reality. Many individuals, families, and institutions have been shoved
into difficulties and sadness not of their own making. Moreover, some are
experiencing bad times resulting from ill-advised decisions of their own.
The chronically downhearted
feel vindicated as they remind us that misery, despair and "sickness unto
death" are the only realistic visions of human living; they continue to recite
verses of their dismal scriptures: "Don't get your hopes up!" "What do you
expect; that's human nature!" "If something can go wrong, it will." "He11 is
other people. "
At the other end of the
spectrum are the fixed smiles of people living in their fantasy lands.
Convinced that everything is under the direct control of an always happy God,
they insensitively and passively giggle their way through life, oblivious to
strife, denying tragedy, ignoring human folly, and disowning human
responsibility. Hear their verses for times of battles, financial set-backs,
and personal losses: “Now, now, it's all right; Jesus loves you!”
"Say your prayers, and God will take care of everything." "You'll be fine, just
fine!" "Just wait; it'll all work out for the best."
When a former parishioner, a
fair-minded businessman, was exploring his ambivalence toward Sunday worship,
the Church, and indeed Christianity, he asked bluntly, "What's in it for me?"
The few fellow clergy to whom I've mentioned this incident have generally
agreed that "what's in it for me?" is not a valid question about Christian
commitment, but I'm not so sure.
I suspect that this man would
not choose a cheerless faith, because of its dismal consequences; why
deliberately adopt a life-time commitment that is fundamentally sour? There are
many religions and philosophies within which he could spend his less than a
hundred years on this planet, so why opt for dispiriting gloom and doom?
I know that this man would not
commit himself to a giddy faith, because of its unrealism and irresponsibility.
Praising God while denying human responsibility for the ills of our own
creation is for the witless, and he was not that!
Neither the chronic pessimist
nor the habitual optimist embodies the Gospel of Christ. Rather, God's Word
shines for willing people amidst hills and valleys, on mountaintops and in our
hells. God's energizing presence can be expected amidst our tears and laughter.
A salesman told me of the four
steps he uses as he seeks to convert people to his product: (1) the product
must be shown effectively; (2) the product's qualities should be explained
carefully; (3) the potential customer must be convinced that the product will
lead to a concrete benefit; and (4) the salesperson lets the customer make a
decision one way or the other. Show, explain, describe benefits, and let the
customer decide. Is it crass to relate these four steps to the Gospel of
Christ?
Consider today's reading from
the Gospel, written in the poetry of faith. What were the disciples
shown? They began to perceive their friend and rabbi as uncommon and
extraordinary. As if a veil had been lifted from their eyes, Jesus was seen
anew, transfigured in a Light brighter and more pivotal than the Law and the
Prophets.
What does this Transfiguration
explain? Although we do not understand what happened to Jesus, we do
know what happened to his disciples! They began to understand their Lord
differently; in Jesus God's Word dwells for all humanity. About to go to
Jerusalem and face intense suffering there, Jesus was filled with radiant glory
and strength to undertake his ministry.
Of what benefit is
God’s Word in Christ to humankind? or, in the words of my former
parishioner, "what's in it for me?" As Jesus was transfigured, so are the lives
of his disciples in every generation. Life is neither forlorn darkness nor
religious giddiness. Rather, fulfilled living is the New Covenant integrating
joyful celebrations,-appropriate sadness, realistic hopefulness, and human
initiatives graced by the Spirit. Beholding by faith the light of Christ's
countenance does not magically solve problems of war, relationships, or
economics; however, Christian disciples are strengthened to bear their crosses,
grow into Christ's glorious likeness, and to influence and brighten the lives
of others who are receptive.
Remember step 4? The customer
must decide. I'm not sure what my former parishioner's real decision
was, and I've lost touch with him. However, if his idea of concrete benefits,
what's in it for him, required exact measurements or precise quantities, he
will be disappointed in potential Christian blessings! Qualities of life and of
relationships with one's neighbors and with God are beyond yardsticks, scales,
and computerized records. Nonetheless, it is an individual's decision whether
or not to embrace the good news of Jesus Christ with its benefits of a
different order.
The "Transfiguration" was
Raphael's last painting. The canvass is divided in half - the top being the
mountain scene, the bottom a scene with the other disciples, a family with
their ill child. The top is godly, harmonious, orderly and peaceful, the bottom
dark, full of clashing angles, manifesting tension. There it is: Jesus glorious
relationship with God in full view of troubled people; the realism of joy and
sorrow; the people's need of God's healing presence among them. Christ didn't
stay on the mountaintop; he came down to heal the child. To all who will allow
themselves to behold the Transfiguration vision, God's Holy Spirit touches
their hearts with hope and with not less than a healing of their spirits. This
is the beneficial Epiphany Gospel of the Lord for you, for me, and for others
whether embattled at home or abroad. Moreover, this Season is another occasion
for rededicating ourselves to our own missionary task of continuing the spread
of light wherever we find ourselves from day to day.
And now, a prayer composed a
decade ago by The Rev. Robert Patterson, rector or the Church of the Redeemer
in Baltimore: Help us, O God, to perceive that the best of times and the
worst of times are both true and to be expected. Let us be free enough to
anticipate the one while experiencing the other, neither hoarding the best
times nor despairing over the worst times. Through this movement from mountain
top to valley and back again, may we be sensitive to your presence, ever urging
us to use every moment of life as a time to grow and a time to receive and
reach out. We believe this is possible because of the life of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.