for Transfiguration Sunday
A
number of years ago, I introduced the congregation to an exercise where you
were asked to reflect on the three descriptive words you would want people to
use at your retirement or at your death to describe you. I suggested that these
descriptors were virtues to focus on and to use to define your work, play, and
life.
For
those who did the exercise, do you remember what descriptors you chose?
The
descriptors I chose – the way I wanted to be remembered – were: faithful,
authentic, and engaged.
I have been revisiting these
descriptors this week. First, because I
wonder if they have changed due to circumstance and a re-evaluation of
priorities, or what I feel the world needs. So from the perspective of being a
leader and living through pandemic – how do I act and how do I want to be
remembered for my contribution through this time? And second, in conversation
with the scripture texts, looking at the characteristics of Elijah and Jesus, I
contemplated what words Elisha and the disciples would have used to describe
their particular teacher – and what that meant for them.
The
Elijah stories that fill the book of 1st Kings are fantastical
stories. Elijah is a charismatic sort of person: powerful and prophetic. He has an authority about him, one could say ordained,
where each action comes from a faithfulness, righteousness, and a trust in God. In the stories we hear that Elijah is
prayerful – when in public and when sulking, or fighting inner fear and
depression. There is a perseverance
shown where he keeps on going even when he feels like the only prophet left –
the only human staying true to God. His actions are bold, showy, spectacular
even; and at the same time a quiet miracle worker in the intimacy of peoples’
homes.
Juxtaposed
to Elijah and his character – the biblical record recounts the upheaval of the
time marked by long droughts, and war after war – and how the kings of Israel did
not address the needs of the people whom they were to be serving. The kings are
characterized as: wicked, evil, unfaithful, war-mongers, apostates (meaning they
have turned their back to God). They are seen as unrighteous, irresponsible, and
self-absorbed. The text uses words like immoral, idolaters, corrupt, and inflictors of
suffering.
A
similar comparison can be made in 1st century Judea, between Jesus
and the leaders of his day.
The
Jesus stories that fill the Gospels are fantastical stories. Jesus is a
charismatic sort of person: powerful and has an authority about him; holy with
a purpose that is bigger than himself. He
is as teacher, prophet, healer, miracle worker. Considered wise, along with being friend, he has
moments of being a rebel, fear-less, a visionary (meaning talks about the big picture,
a fullness of God’s kin-dom). We see Jesus also as prayerful, stepping aside
-to a quiet place- to talk to God.
Juxtaposed
to Jesus and his character – the biblical record recounts the upheaval of the
time marked by Roman occupation, political and religious turmoil, social
injustices – and how the rulers, scribes and Pharisees of the Judean people did
not address the needs of the people whom they were to be serving. The leaders are characterized as: powerless, unrighteous,
harsh, self-serving, political pawns, corrupt, and sell-outs. They are seen as lacking
vision, slow in comprehension, compassionless, showing no mercy, being
judgemental, and when praying making it a show in the marketplace.
Elijah
and Jesus are noticed by others in their times because they stand in contrast
to the leaders who had been given responsibility for the welfare of the people.
Each had followers who were drawn in by their character and an invitation to
come and be a part of their good news sharing. Elisha
and disciples followed their respected
teacher/mentor; choosing characteristics to make their own and live into. In
their following, both Elisha and the disciples witness the dramatic deaths of
their teacher. In both cases the mantel of the teacher was laid on the
shoulders of the followers. Elisha and
the disciples demonstrate that the power and authority- the spirit- of their
teacher goes on living through them and doubles, and as the good news is shared
it continues to multiply and bear fruit.
Elisha
and the disciples end up being that juxtaposed presence to challenge the ways
of the world and a thorn in the side to those who fell into the world’s ways –
just as their mentors were.
I
think that the exercise of choosing descriptors to live into, can be done in a
different way. Rather than pulling out the characteristics from thin air; start
by considering the characteristics of the Bible characters presented to us this
morning, which characteristic draws your attention. Can you be that or try to be that, help
someone else be that, or support someone who is that?
We
can also take a look around our neighbourhoods, communities, and the world. We can reflect on the state of the world and the
ways of the world that people get trapped in – and then look for those who
stand as a juxtaposed presence. These
should be our teachers and mentors – people whose character we want to emulate or
pass along and share.
Consider
such a person. Choose a characteristic of that person – that juxtaposed
presence. Pick one – or pick a few- name the qualities you admire in them; take
these characteristics on - be that person
who wears the mantle of another’s spirit and multiples the dispersement of
power two-fold.
As
our days continue in a sort-of-holding pattern, when we feel like crawling back
into bed, when we get tired of not knowing, or just seem to be going through
the motions of living – it is ever more important to focus on things that
really matter: items, words, deeds, actions, that bear fruit, bring life, grow
hope, relieve fear, comfort grief, and encourage common wealth.
In
times of ‘crazy,’ in fact at anytime, a spiritual practice I have found helpful
and that gives each day purpose for me is this: each day is a day well lived when
one thing is done for God, one thing is done for another, and one thing is done
for the self.
None
of these words, actions, or deeds need to be big – only come from the heart with
the intention of growing good news - for
it is good news that transfigures the world around us through the people touched
by God’s spirit working through us.
In
conclusion I invite you to carry with you this week the intention of each day doing
one thing for God, one thing for another, and one thing for yourself. Be filled with the spirt -the characteristics
of God made manifest – and be encouraged by the words of Arch-Bishop Desmond
Tutu – let these words be true as God’s spirit works through us -
God
places us in the world as his fellow
worker-agents of transfiguration. We work with God so that injustice is
transfigured into justice, so there will be more compassion and caring, that
there will be more laughter and joy, that there will be more togetherness in
God’s world.
Amen.
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