Something for a Snowy Day

Today seven of us joined in Morning Suffrages, with a simply communion.  The reading read was in lectio divina from (see sermon below), followed by  a sharing of the Word as we heard it and how it read us.

Transfiguration B-2015

This morning I draw your attention to a small section of the Gospel.  The phrase caused a bit of a stir at Bible Study and an even bigger stir at the weekly clergy discussion group I attend. 

“Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.  He didn’t know what to say… who is, “he?” Peter or Jesus.

“Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And who was terrified, just the disciples or Jesus too?

The pastor’s study group has a participant who speaks biblical Greek, in his sleep, each week it rolls off his tongue at least once.  And he ponder the Greek sentence construction for a few moments, and felt the language did lean toward Jesus being the “he.”  Jesus didn’t know what to say. Jesus was included in the “they were terrified.”

In a conversation this week, I was reminded of something I learned in counseling courses, parenting classes, and leadership seminars I have participated in.  Before one finds themselves in a crisis –a place of fear- it is best to have practiced and roll played what it is one should say. And to practice these phrases repetitively so they automatically get put into play as second nature when the crisis arises.

I am reading, “Older, Faster, Stronger,” a book about women long distant runners over the age of 50. It talks about why women seem to improve in long distance running abilities as they age. In one section, the book discusses imaging out a race by colour or animal; and includes emphasis on practicing good self-talk, focusing on running form, having a mantra to repeat, and happy thoughts that will provide motivation when one hits a wall so to speak. All of this one practices on every practice run, so that on race day any crisis that might arise, your body and mind go into autopilot and the race is completed well.

Situations and crisis arise all the time. We react.

The book and the conversation I had this week reminded me, and kindled a desire, to be prepared for times when I might be stressed, challenged, tempted to act in a not-so-Christian way, and to be ready for times of fear and terror.

It is a beautiful thought to see Jesus in a very human condition. Being stymied and terrified is part of human nature. How often have you not had the words to say?  … someone gives you a grand compliment, you get into a verbal fight, when someone dies and you meet the family in the visitation line, or a friend shares that they have cancer… what do you say?

This very human condition, set in the story on the mountain, speaks to me of the very nature of God; the combination stressed by Bonhoeffer of the humanity of God and the divinity of the human- God dared to enter a state of humiliation, where God humbled self to become a man, to undergo humiliation through acceptance of sinful flesh, of his own freewill –where there is restraint from exercising divine properties and powers through the human nature for the duration of the earthly life of Jesus Christ. Christ goes incognito as a beggar among beggars, sinner among sinners; at the same time is sinless among sinners.

Jesus is transfigured and shown to be human.  The response to being stymied and terrified echoes from a deeper place of knowing, the Word that was from the beginning, repeated at Jesus’ baptism and again now; the Word for to empower the “who” of Jesus, and the expectation placed on the disciples.  Everyone is given action to move forward from this moment of fear.  Jesus focus on being the Beloved, disciples listen.

Go practice because situations and crisis down the road approaching the end in Jerusalem will require instant automatic responses; practice so that you are ready. 

This morning I would like to introduce you to a way of preparing for those moments of being stymied and/or terrified;  A way to give you the Word needed in a time of crisis, chaos, or indecision; A Gospel response that will come automatically because it has been practiced. Perhaps during all the snow days we seem to be having, or simply as a discipline over Lent, you might try the following.

Henri Nouwen, in his book, “Spiritual Formation,” uses the practice of lectio divina after each chapter in the book to assist readers in building their spiritual storehouse and God-relationship.  Lectio Divina is an ancient spiritual practice that comes from the Benedictine tradition.  It is a practice that focuses on the sacred and devotional reading of scripture. Through this discipline one learns to really read scripture uninhibited and allows us to be read by the Word of God.

Nouwen says, “When we approach the Word of God as a word spoken to me, God’s presence and will can be made known.  The regular practice of lectio divina presents occasions when my story and God’s story meet.  To read the Bible in this way means therefore to read ‘on my knees’ ---- reverently, attentively, and with the deep faith that God has a word for me in my own situation.” (pg.xiii Spiritual Formation)

Today we are going to take a few moments to practice lectio divina. How it works:  I will slowly read a portion of the Gospel from this morning aloud, 3 x – as you listen take note of a word, phrase, image, or thought that comes to your attention – note it so it can be reflected on later.  How do you hear the Word? How is the Word reading you?

           

“Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.  Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud, there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

Beloved One, inspire by your Holy Spirit our hearts and minds to dedicate time for disciplined practice. Fill us with the Word, so that in times of being stymied and terrified, we have the Word to comfort, hear, and speak.  Give us a new vision of your love, so released from fear, we may continue to practice following the Incarnate. Amen.