Let’s take a moment to hold in prayer the community of Tumbler Ridge and all impacted by the tragedy that took place this past week. While words fail, may hearts fill will compassion and love as our prayers ascend to the One who holds all these beloved children in arms that are larger than we can ask or imagine. It feels loving to centre hurt and healing in the face of tragedy. It says something about who we are as Canadians that this has been the primary focus of the response to this moment. We are Canadian. We have particular priorities and perspectives about our relationships. We are watching this play out in our response to this tragedy.
Life is like this, isn’t it? Things happen and what we do with that tells people something about who we are. What do you think? Can you think of significant moments like this when people learned something about you, us, or someone else?
Ex. For St. Paul’s could be Pride flag stolen, questioning Community Living folks at pasta dinner, origins of clothing cupboard, origins of fun with flags, etc.
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
The story of the Transfiguration is a moment in which something about Jesus becomes revealed in a powerful, transformative way. His face shines like the sun. His clothes become dazzling white. He is seen with two of the most significant individuals in Jewish history – Moses and Elijah. The moment was likely overwhelming for those who saw it. In all of this, there is a sense of clarity in terms of Jesus’ identity.
How do we feel, then, about how Peter responds? Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Do we think that Peter understands what is happening? Or is Peter trying to impose his own norms and expectations on this moment?
Fundamentally, Peter is making this moment about himself, and his needs. We know this is an all too human reaction. Think about how we apologize when we say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to” or when we ask, “do you really?”. How often do we centre what we want and need and undermine the identity of others? Notice how God responds:
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!"
God reasserts Jesus’ identity for those in the back who didn’t quite hear. Jesus isn’t just a holy man – he is God’s Son. He is Divine. His identity is deeply rooted in his connection to God and cannot be limited by any human perspectives or expectations. We cannot put God in a box.
There is something liberating in knowing that the Transfiguration invites us to remember that Jesus’ identity is more than we can ask or imagine. There is something liberating in knowing that Jesus’ identity cannot be contained. When we remember that we are made in the image and likeness of God, that we are siblings in Christ, we can also remember that who we are cannot be contained.
In the Transfigured Christ, our identity is also transfigured, liberated enabling us to be whoever we are created to be. In the Transfigured Christ, every child of God is transfigured, liberated reminding us to honour every person as whoever they are created to be. May we resist the urge to try to define anyone’s identity and continually be open to the possibilities God enables in every person’s life trusting that each person is a beloved child of God, with whom God is well pleased. This we pray as we sing: (VT) 715 Longing for Light