Matthew 17:1-9
2 March 2014
Elizabeth M. Deibert
After our glorious afternoon at Peace last Sunday, when we
dedicated this building and everything and everyone part of it, and this
beautiful piece of land to God’s purposes, it was time to unwind, to slip away
for a night with Richard for a belated birthday celebration with his brother
Don. We went to Tarpon Springs, the
home of sponges and Greek food. On
Tuesday morning, I sat quietly in the pew in St Nicolas Greek Orthodox Church
while Richard visited every icon in the sanctuary. In that quiet moment of prayer in a church
where I had no responsibility and could rest in God, I found God’s glory
shining in the stained glass.
But I have also found God’s glory shining here as we have
feverishly prepared for Dedication and as we occasionally paused to smile at
one another and marvel at the miracle of God’s provision of this place at just
the right moment. I have seen God’s
glory as I have watched each of you give whatever gift God moved you to give –
whether thousands of dollars to the Building Fund, or particular gifts to the
Wish List or artwork or furniture, the gift of energy for tearing out walls or
painting them, digging up stumps or planting flowers. In all of these gifts, I see the glory of
God.
For three months we have been packing and unpacking and
fixing and celebrating God’s glory. And
not just the glorious gift of our own place, but the glory of God’s gift in you
the people of Peace who have come together over eight years to grow as
disciples of Jesus Christ. At
presbytery on Thursday, a member of First Presbyterian, Sarasota, approached me
to say how much she had appreciated our Dedication service, and she added, “You
know, the worship was wonderful, but what really impressed me was the genuine warmth
and authenticity of the people at Peace.
They made me feel truly welcome and comfortable.” It is you who make this a place for God’s
glory to be known by the way you build a community of peace and care for
others.
It is not the shining of stained glass windows but the
shining of real lives with Christ’s love that makes the church a true church.
Come away with me now to hear the story of Christ’s great
shining moment, when history collapses and past, present, and future
collide. Come away with me through a
different kind of reflection on this text, one that is more right brain than
left.
On the last Sunday of Epiphany as on the first, at the
Baptism, God speaks from the clouds, declaring the truth that changes
everything: “This is my Beloved Son.” Pay attention to him, be amazed, and don’t
ever think you can cozy up too close to this amazing truth.”
Matthew 17:1-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his
brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was
transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes
became dazzling white. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah,
talking with him. 4 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.” 5 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!” 6 When the disciples heard
this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and
touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 And when they looked up,
they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them,
“Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from
the dead.”
(New Revised Standard
Version)
(Tune: Of The
Father’s Love)
Glory be to God the Father,Glory be to Christ the Son,
Glory to the Holy Spirit.
Ever three and ever one.
When God becomes human, and humans become more divine
through connection with the Spirit of Christ, that’s when glory shines.
When newborns like Andy Thornton are gifted with a wonderful
adoptive family, glory shines despite the heartache laced with relief in a
birth mother who had the generosity of spirit to participate in that glory.
When red-shouldered hawks and deer and sandhill cranes come
to live with us on the edge of these woods and water, that’s when God’s glory
shines.
When the musical notes come together into harmonious
resonant sound and our spirits are stirred to connect with Holy Spirit, God’s
glory shines.
When new friends speak harsh words but soon recognize the
need for apologies and forgiveness, glory shines.
When youth come together and bear their souls, being
vulnerable with one another and trusting in the love that exists between them
and God, glory shines.
When a conservative missionary village and a progressive but
rooted new Presbyterian congregation become true brothers and sisters in Jesus
Christ in one service of worship, glory shines.
When a church is born and landed by the generosity of sister
churches and that new church pays it forward in dedication to support other new
churches, glory shines.
When surgeries and therapies lead to better health and more
functional ability or comfort…and when there is no surgery or therapy that
works, but one can still face the morning with courage, give glory to God.
When new jobs are on the horizon where one can make a
difference in the world, give glory to God.
When deep faith is born through patient waiting and
believing that God’s promises are trustworthy, glory to God!
When two people, formerly a couple, set aside their own
differences to make sure their children and their grandchildren feel their
love, without competition or bitterness – glory.
When family and close friends come down to rest with us from
the cold winds of the north and when we can escape the sultry heat of September
to visit them…glory.
When church people care enough to reach out to those who are
different, struggling, needy, and marginalized, because so did Jesus Christ,
glory.
When teachers and leaders are understanding and inspiring
while students and participants are listening and learning…glory
When a couple cares for a lost young man, wallowing in
mental illness and substance abuse, when they care enough to go the extra mile,
God’s glory is still shining in the darkness of unfulfilled hopes that may yet
come to fruition.
When beans and rice and are lovingly packed week after week
by a devoted few so that a desperate many may have a little on which to depend,
glory lives.
When a mega warehouse chain store not only gives money to
new churches but also steps up to give voice and power to the guy picking
tomatoes, glory.
When church members all come rushing forward
enthusiastically with their own gifts and ideas, and they make room for the
opinions of others, glory.
When a Stephen Minister or Friend walks alongside one who is
struggling and makes it easier by caring enough to take time to really listen,
glory resounds all around.
When a ministry team or session of elders learns to work
together fruitfully, aware that each person brings something valuable to the
discussion and that the Spirit is at work in the group process, glory resounds.
When those who are single can find contentment in their
singleness and those who are married can find contentment in the partner they
have, glory to God. When we can recognize that a loving covenant between two adults that calls forth the best in each one is to be celebrated no matter who they are, God’s glory is seen.
When a person with significant disabilities has the strength
and determination to keep getting out in the world, despite the struggles of
accessibility issues, God’s glory is seen.
When new ideas and dreams are born in Jesus and his
disciples, while the traditions of Saints like Moses and Elijah are respected
and honored, God’s glory is seen.
When followers of Christ are awed by God’s presence, more
than they make pronouncements in God’s
name, glory to God.
When they are more concerned with loving and caring for
people, than judging them, glory to God.When political leaders are willing to sit down and negotiate with others, relinquishing power for the sake of peaceful progress, glory.
When people who are enthusiastic and want to build things
because they are awed by God’s glory, like the disciples in this story, can
step back and wait for God’s direction.
Glory.
When people who are afraid can hear the voice of Christ,
saying “Do not fear” and then they see nothing else, only Jesus. Glory.
When followers of Christ know when to talk of their
remarkable experiences of the power of God and when to keep the Messianic
secret. Glory.
When their faces shine because the love of Jesus Christ has
so filled their hearts and souls and minds, that it has to find a way out, even
without saying much. That’s glory.
Let us pray now, using this poem by Jan Richardson entitled,
When Glory, A Blessing for Transfiguration Sunday. (paintedprayerbook.com)
Let us pray:That when glory comes, we will open our eyes, to see it.
That when glory shows up, we will let ourselves
be overcome, not by fear, but by the love, it bears.
That when glory shines, we will bring it, back with us
all the way, all the way, all the way down.
No comments:
Post a Comment