Sermon: Sunday before Lent (B)
Sunday 11th February 2024 – St Anne’s, Wrenthorpe
How do we respond to transformational encounters with God?
Ok, hold that thought…
First – a bold claim…
I’ve been there and done that!
I’ve climbed that mountain.
I was there.
Ok so it was an organised pilgrimage tour….
On a bus…
The walk wasn’t particularly arduous.
We were in the company of clergy, not actual Divinity!
And the presence of Moses and Elijah was only sensed in the murals of the Church of the Transfiguration, on Mount Tabor.
It was a sunny morning and I was amongst friends.
Yet I didn’t have an “experience” on that mountain….
Except from the constant exhaustion that such travels bring.
Ok, so I might not have had the same ‘moment’ that Peter, James and John had – right there….
I have had incredible moments where I just knew God was present….
When the veil was removed…
When something was revealed …and I was transformed….
These things don’t often happen how we think they will or when… or even why!
I imagine we are all very familiar with the idea of ‘drone footage’.
The drone is a small aircraft, operated by remote control, with many applications – from package delivery to instruments of warfare; from mass light shows to spying on neighbours … and many more.
Yet we are mostly familiar with drones being used for filming.
This is a boon to the movie industry as drones are cheaper and more flexible than helicopters!
We can now easily and cheaply see what’s going on way over there, from above – offering sweeping panoramas and close-ups that would normally be hidden from us.
Imagine such an opportunity on the Mount of Transfiguration….!
What would we see? Who would we see?
A small group of people….?
Would we see the brightly illuminated forms of Moses and Elijah?
Would we see a fuzzy, luminous cloud – obscuring our view?
Now change the shot…
Now a glorious panorama as the flying camera moves slowly around the mountain top….
Zooming in…
Do we see each of the Disciples in their own moment of wonder and awe…. And probably confusion? Their faces caught unaware…
The three disciples are totally perplexed by their experience, completely baffled. Peter is petrified and talks nonsense.
When he suggests making some dwellings for these three, whose garments shine so brightly that one is reminded of washing-powder adverts of yesteryear…. it almost becomes a moment of comedy gold!
And Jesus…? What does he look like to us, in this moment?
Sometimes it’s not clear what’s happening… maybe not till later.
We may be overwhelmed in a glorious moment….
We may feel surprised, moved or unnerved by our response….
How we physically or emotionally feel…
Of course, we may not feel anything – finding the entire experience to be a disappointment, unpleasant or just plain weird!
There is an intimacy in transformation – I want to say, we have to be ready for God, regardless – always in the moment for the Spirit to make itself known…hmmm.
Today is Racial Justice Sunday.
Some might ask: “why do we need yet another ‘special Sunday’?”
Well….
The Church of England asks us to consider this…. And I quote:
Racism and racial discrimination are issues of justice because they deny basic human dignity to men and women made in God’s image. Wherever and whenever we treat another “as lesser, or other, our theology fails to celebrate the dramatic nature of our transformation as people who find their primary identity in Christ. In Christ, our differences are not simply erased but rather embraced, valuing the unique ways we each reflect the image of God”
Church of England website – RJS
Strong but a bit wordy… maybe, but it’s truth, isn’t it?
We might not always recognise or acknowledge our “part” in this.
Our encounter with God is intimate – it is our own.
It is a one to one relationship that we share, or not…. That we live with alone of maybe together.
Christians sometime refer to their ‘own faith’ – their personal faith – as if being a Christian is lived alone, with terms set by us, that God approves of, because, well you know….. I’m doing it my way, ‘n’ all….
I’m not sure we can afford to live like that.
What of those possible encounters that others will have with God, through us?
When someone is sharing their heavy-duty opinions about the world they live in, and all the people they don’t like:
The people of colour, of other religions, coming here on boats, and stealing our jobs, money or whatever; those who don’t look like they should and then say they are something else…. Basically people who are not me….!
The way the language of “othering” comes so easily to some;
And you – what do you say to that? What sort of moment is formed right then?
Do you keep silent, or are you praying for this person whose relationship with the world around them is not of love; do you speak, and how? With words of peace from the Spirit, or your own anger and frustration?
And it’s not all bad… God brings us close to those who need to hear His voice – quietly and with compassion and hopefulness….. I think you know those moments.
How might they be transformed …. Through a moment with you…. And God?
I’m an introvert. I regain my spiritual and emotional energies usually when I am on my own – wherever – outdoors, in the garden, reading, in the car – lots of solitary places.
This exchange – here – me and you – it can be exhausting!
Afterwards, I will go home and sit quietly for a while….(smile)
Yet, it is what God has called me to do. Then and now.
We hear God speaking to us in the Spirit – and we respond.
This is Transformation…..
I might be inspired by the mission and ministry of Paul, but I cannot liken myself to him.
Paul went everywhere, spent time with everyone, and talked a lot!
Yet, his transformation – from Saul to Paul – was an intimate encounter with Jesus.
And today, in Pauls words to the people of Corinth,
The gospel remains veiled and hidden to those for whom the world is supreme.
Yet we who believe are blessed with a light to carry within ourselves, that reveals the truth of God, in Christ….
A light in which others might be found! Yes!
Jesus led His disciples to the mountain, for some respite – a break.
We need moments of solitude and communion with God to prepare us for the work we are called to.
Such encounters can transform us, equipping us for the journey. If it’s not like the one in Mark’s Gospel, though… are they still real encounters? Of course they are.
God’s voice affirmed Jesus as His beloved Son, emphasising His divine authority.
In all our endeavours to build the Kingdom of God, we must recognise the divine authority behind our call to dismantle racial barriers, challenge the hatred we encounter, promoting equality and being the chance others might have to know of a better Way.
The transfiguration of Jesus reminds us of the importance of intimate encounters with God, His divine authority, and to trust in His timing.
Yes, as Jesus instructed His perplexed Disciples, on the road down from the mountain, they must keep quiet… for now.
What! Why? It didn’t make sense – surely everyone needs to hear about this Jesus!
We can’t always know how or when God will be revealed – or how our part in that will come to pass….
We trust in God and, as Disciples ourselves, we can only try to be ready for the encounter that others will have in us!
Together we are Church – we are the Body of Christ.
In this we have a strength, a resilience, a shared hope and the foundations of a world built on love… and we need to get on with it!
That body is more than the sum of its parts… yet, parts we are – each of us encountering Jesus in personal and intimate ways.
So, in the days to come, whether you are dazzling bright on a mountain top, or waiting in the rain for a bus; whether you are quietly reading something you chose for Lent study, or troubled by the casual racism you overhear in the pub – try to be ready – pray to be ready – for when God reveals His truth through us; when the veil is swept away, then love not hate becomes the Way for us all.
There is a prayer – a Collect – for Racial Justice.
I leave this with you….
Merciful God,
you are righteous and love justice:
stir the hearts of your people that,
rejoicing in our diversity,
we may repent of the wrongs of the past,
and, by your grace, seek the peaceable kingdom of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Header Image: Sacred Heart (detail), Odilon Redon, 1910, Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France
Gallery Images: ©️Simon Beresford 2024
Church of England Resources for Racial Justice Sunday here
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