Something understood

 

A young boy asked his father:

“Dad, why does the wind blow?”

“I don’t know son”

“Dad where do the clouds come from?”

“I’m not sure son”

“Dad what makes a rainbow?”

“No idea son”

“Dad do you mind me asking you all these questions?”

“Not at all, son. How else are you going to learn?”

The Transfiguration or Transformation of Jesus is a learning experience for the three disciples chosen to be with Jesus on the mountaintop. It’s learning not by question and answer but by simply being there and being part of something amazing. It is a never to be forgotten experience.

Of course we may choose to step back from the theological complexities inherent in the story. We may even run away for fear of encountering something scary!

But that would be to miss catching a glimpse of the Glory of God. The Gospel invites us to simply stand with the disciples and wonder at this event and reflect on a fascinating series of images. Here is mystery for sure, but also human engagement with the divine and reassurance.

There’s no doubt a Stephen Spielberg treatment of the story would produce some stunning computer generated images. His interpretations would be interesting and dramatic.

He would warm to all those dazzling elements in the story – the clothes that shine like flashes of lightning, the cloud that envelops the climbers as they make their way to the top of the mountain and the voice that speaks to them out of the swirling mist.

Then the figures from ancient history appear in ‘heavenly splendour”.

It is surely exciting stuff and the human reaction to it all, notably represented by Peter, is understandable.

He jumps in with a knee jerk reaction: “Let’s build three shelters” – one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah.

It’s as if he wanted to freeze frame the moment. Did he want to stay on that mountaintop in rapturous conversation with these awesome figures

Here was another fiery encounter on a par with Moses and the burning bush and that heavenly chariot of fire that had taken Elijah into the presence of the Lord

Peter wanted to seize and hold on to this moment of revelation. But his aspirations were misplaced. He wanted to look into the sun and see everything now.

But St Mark explains: “He did not know what he was saying”.

The Transfiguration experience comes after Jesus has told the disciples of his necessary suffering and death. This blazing, brilliant light will help them cope with the darkness that is ahead.

This eternal light will not be toned down in their hearts and minds. It will not be put out by the horror of the Cross. It will appear again like the rising sun.

Now they stand in awe – Peter, James and John – ordinary, footsore people, exhausted after their climb to the mountaintop. “Awe had swept over them”. They had been given a glimpse of the Lord’s glory.

They have been part of a blending of time and eternity. So we stand with them, we share their ignorance and awe but we are not totally baffled.

The voice of God in our worship, in our reading of the Scriptures, in our prayers gives us insight and direction. We are not left to fumble through life bemused and befuddled with mystery. God’s love in Jesus Christ is our light, “the light”, Paul says “ of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”.

The surprising thing is that after this mountaintop experience “The disciples kept this to themselves and told no-one”. Their silence speaks volumes

Cardinal Basil Hume said it was an experience that brought them alongside the Son of God. The poet George Herbert described it as personal revelation that stilled their hearts and minds: it was ‘something understood”

It was ‘being still in the presence of the Lord”, a spiritual experience. Then it was back down the mountain, back to their daily lives inspired and uplifted and wondering about their destiny.

“Listen to Him”. This was the correcting voice that sent them back down the mountain. It affirmed God’s promise and assurance of guidance in their lives. Jesus would help them.

Thereafter Peter, we know, and all the disciples followed Christ but not without difficulties and failures.

The transforming power of God in their lives did not make them immune from these failures. They were vulnerable as we are and they had to keep on learning and trying.

When Peter was challenged by the cynics of his day and accused of inventing ridiculous stories he responded with a quiet confidence. “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  He had seen the glory of the Lord.

That light in his life was a constant flame, steady and illuminating the way forward, scattering the darkness and giving us all hope.

The Church of England report Faith in the City made the point. It said:  “We know there is a transforming power present in human affairs that can resolve apparently intractable situations and bring new life to the darkest places.

Christians have been learning from that experience from generation to generation. It is indeed ‘something understood’.

As Peter testified: “The Lord is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Amen.