Epiphany
February 26, 2017
Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:1-9
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’ –Matthew 17:5-8
Many years ago, while visiting a friend, a student at the University of Texas at Austin, I toured the University’s Memorial Museum while my friend was in class. Rounding a corner to enter the next exhibit I encountered a gigantic stone object of worship used by an indigenous group from the southern hemisphere of the Americas. My immediate reaction was to gasp and scream almost simultaneously. Once I figured out what I was seeing, I quickly glanced around to see if anyone heard my embarrassing outburst. At least no one came running. The staff perhaps were acclimated to such behavior. I tell you this as preface to saying: I do not have a clue what happened at the Transfiguration but I feel confident, unlike my experience with a large rock, something life-changing occurred.
The gospels indicate that Jesus prepared his disciples well for what was coming. As the prophets of old noted often, they heard but did not comprehend. Wouldn’t you love to have been a witness to the discussions that occurred during those days between the Resurrection and Pentecost. “So, that’s what he meant when he said…” “I was so scared on that mountain, I couldn’t think of anything but surviving.” “How could we have been so dense?”
What are we hearing but not comprehending today? What are we going to do about it? Sometimes the out-of-date words of an old song have great meaning for us today.
Prayer:
Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my ears, that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear;
and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!
Open my mouth, and let me bear
gladly the warm truth everywhere;
open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!* Amen.
*Hymn Open My Eyes by Clara H. Scott. See at http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh454.sht