February 22, 2009
Transfiguration Sunday
2 Kings 2:1-12
Mark 9:2-9
Year B
“The Moment when Everything Becomes Clear”
Elijah story
Elijah loves to party. Whenever there was a party – you always knew he would be there. One day while walking down the street he heard a wedding party. Dressed in his street clothes, a drab gown, he walked up to the door and knocked. A man answered, the father of the bride. I see you are having a party said Elijah, can I come in. The man took one look at Elijah and said I am sorry, this is a private party and slammed the door in his face. Elijah was horrified and thought what to do next. He took his gold cane, waved it in the air, and all of a sudden he had a wonderful white tuxedo, hat and of course his gold cane. He wrapped on the door again with his cane. Once again, the father came to the door – I hear that you are having a party. I love to party – can I come in. the man took one look at Elijah and said of course you can come in. Elijah joined the party. He danced and talked for a while. Soon it was time for a very lavish meal. The guest went to different tables to get various types of food. Elijah walked up to the fruit table and grabbed an orange and put it in his pocket. One of the guest saw it, but she did not want to make a big deal of it. He walked up to the dessert table and grabbed a few cakes, and put them into his pocket. People noticed, the even noticed when he started to rub his pockets smashing the cake. People thought he was weird, but no one wanted to say anything out loud, but of course this was a close knit family – so word had spread. Then Elijah went to the meat table, ordered a piece of roast beef and put that in his pocket. Now by this time people were looking and paying attention. So when he went to the drink table and took a cup of fruit punch and poured it all over his white suit – the host could stand it no longer. He confronted Elijah and asked what was going on. I don’t even know you, and I let you into my daughters party, and instead of just fitting in, you are making a nuisance of yourself and ruining my party. How dare you – yelled the host. Elijah yelled even louder – yes you let me into your party. First when I knocked on the door in shabby clothes, you slammed the door in my face. But when I dressed up in this suit – you let me in. So the best I can tell – you invited my clothes, not me. Elijah grabbed an apple, and slammed it into his chest, so I am feeding my clothes – I want to make sure they have a good time at the party. I Elijah have spoken – and he disappeared leaving behind his gold cane.
Elijah is a larger than life figure in the jewish worldview
I am sure that story has a moral – but I tell it to represent the reputation that Elijah holds in tradition. There are many stories of Elijah appearing all throughtout history.
Elijah is one of the few people who did not die – but in our story is taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. And it is believed that when the messiah comes back to the world – that Elijah will appear and come back to usher in a new age for God.
Elijah represents the faithfulness to God
The other person who had such a faithful relationship with God was moses. But in the moses story – moses grave was never found, but he did pass on. The story says that when Elijah was taken by god, that they searched for his body, thinking God swept it up but dropped it somewhere. But it was never found. Elijah was so faithful and passionate for God in his life, that God continues to use him.
Story of his passing on his knowledge to Elisha
There are many stories of Elijah works on the earth. 1 and 2 Kings are about his life. But there are many stories like the one I told you. The story for today is about Elisha. They know that Elijah is going to be taken by God. Elisha asks for a double portion of his spirit – that he can do many of he works that he has witnessed.
I think Elisha was asking for more than that
Elisha gets it
Elisha mourns for someone – who no one knows if he really died.
The new testament story is another appearance of Elijah. He appears to Jesus in the dark of the night.
Tell story of mark.
This is the transfiguration story. On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus takes some time to climb a mountain to pray. He takes three of his disciples with him. The disciples witness Elijah and Moses talking with Jesus. Jesus shines in the night, and a voice speaks saying listen to Jesus.
This is not just about Jesus transfiguring, but the symbol of God presence and faithfulness comes to confer with Jesus and his mission to save the world. This moment shows the disciples that Jesus is indeed not just a wonderful teacher, but he is indeed God’s chosen messiah.
It was a cold and dark night.
It would have been hard to see what was going on in the dark on the top of a mountain. But they noticed that they had night vision, and could see what was going on clearly.
They say that when you descend into the ocean – that you enter into different worlds
Each darker and colder than the one before – until you enter into a strange world – where everything glows.
A world of strange animals, and strange plants. You realize that you are in a place where you could never imagine in your everyday life.
This was not something that happens everyday. Not something that anyone would ever believe How did they get to that place?
How do we get to the place where we listen to God, where we see visions clearly, and things that we are struggling all of a sudden start to make sense.
There is no pathway to that place – we all have to find it for ourselves. God speaks in ways that only we can recognize. Our task during lent is to find those places.
Stories to give us the tools to get through the days ahead. Tools we need are imagination and prayer. Time dreaming of what God would have us to do, praying for God to lead us .
Will start to see God in ways we never imagined
Read poem.
"A person whispered," God, speak to me" and a meadowlark sang. But, the person did not hear. So they yelled,"God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky. But, they did not listen. The person looked around and said, "God, let me see you" and a star shone brightly. But, the person did not notice. Then they shouted, "God show me a miracle" and a life was born. But, the person did not know. So, they cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here." Whereupon God reached down and touched them. But, they brushed the butterfly away, and walked on.
We have come through epiphany season – sort of like scuba diving down into the ocean. Going deeper and deeper into darkness and coldness until we reach the bottom of the ocean. Lent is our journey on the bottom – until Easter when we get to revel in the brightness of daylight.
As you enter into lent – remember the tools for a deeper relationship with God. Your prayers, your imagination, your dreams for the future.
Be present when God reveals the divine to you – in so many ways.
This is an Elijah cup – you use it for maunday Thursday. Whenever you have dinner for Passover, the jews are supposed to set a place for Elijah at the table. When everyone else gets something to drink – you always pour something in the Elijah cup. It is done to remind us that Elijah could come back at anytime. And that when he comes back – he is not just passing on his spirit to his protégé, but to all of us.
That tradition spreads also to Jesus. What would happen this lent, if everytime we set the table, we left a place for Jesus. To come to us, to speak with us , to live with us, to guide us. To be reminded that Jesus is present when we realize it and when we don’t. As we begin our Lenten journey – whatever you plan to do – know that God is with you. Pray for as many things as you can – and look earnestly everywhere for answers.
Finally – a group of middle school girls were talking about inner beauty and the importance of being a Christian. They talked about how they needed to pray for those who needed it and even for those who were mean to them. A teacher asked if prayer changes things – no but prayer does change you and how you look at the situation.
This lent - if you are a faithful follower of jesus – the world may not change, but if you pray – you will. When you change – the world changes with you.
Amen.
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