A New Vision for a new generation

2 Kings 2:1-12 Transfiguration Sunday Year B February 14, 2021 Opening Song Welcome Opening Prayer The darkness of winter has been our companion, Lord. Now the days are lengthening. Bring your light to us, that we might see your glory and may work for you, offering hope and peace to this world. We ask this, in Jesus’ Name. AMEN. Stewardship Moment All around us we know of people who seek out mentors, models, and those who mark the way. Medical students apply for residencies. Law students want to clerk with top justices. Student teachers hope for placement with excellent educators. In Mark’s Gospel, we’re continuing the story of Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John. All four, called by Jesus, see him healing those who were sick, casting out demons, praying and preparing to proclaim the message of God’s Realm. What about for us, today? How are we setting aside our weariness in order to model our lives on the life of Jesus? If we are his disciples, what will we offer back today? How will you express your gratitude for the place you’ve landed, with Jesus as your mentor, model, and marker on the Way? Especially in these days, facing challenges brought to us by the COVID pandemic, what will you offer? (make clear the many ways offerings may be shared; web-site? Phone? Mailed? Placed in an offering tray?) Prayer of Thanksgiving Generous God, you continue to provide us with so much. Today we give you thanks for the gift of Jesus, who showed his disciples the Way of Love. As 21st century followers of Jesus, we offer these symbols of our lives, that the Good News might continue to be proclaimed. Inspire us to use these gifts, and all our lives, as we gladly claim and express our identity as disciples (Disciples) of Christ. AMEN Special Music Scripture Elijah goes to heaven 2 Now the LORD was going to take Elijah up to heaven in a windstorm, and Elijah and Elisha were leaving Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, because the LORD has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you live, I won’t leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3 The group of prophets from Bethel came out to Elisha. These prophets said to Elisha, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?” Elisha said, “Yes, I know. Don’t talk about it!” 4 Elijah said, “Elisha, stay here, because the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you live, I won’t leave you.” So they went to Jericho. 5 The group of prophets from Jericho approached Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD is going to take your master away from you today?” He said, “Yes, I know. Don’t talk about it!” 6 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, because the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you live, I won’t leave you.” So both of them went on together. 7 Fifty members from the group of prophets also went along, but they stood at a distance. Both Elijah and Elisha stood beside the Jordan River. 8 Elijah then took his coat, rolled it up, and hit the water. Then the water was divided in two! Both of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “What do you want me to do for you before I’m taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Let me have twice your spirit.” 10 Elijah said, “You’ve made a difficult request. If you can see me when I’m taken from you, then it will be yours. If you don’t see me, it won’t happen.” 11 They were walking along, talking, when suddenly a fiery chariot and fiery horses appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went to heaven in a windstorm. 12 Elisha was watching, and he cried out, “Oh, my father, my father! Israel’s chariots and its riders!” When he could no longer see him, Elisha took hold of his clothes and ripped them in two. Sermon The Spirit of God for Our Generation There is a legend that St. Valentinus was in prison waiting to be put to death. The jailer asked him to be his daughter’s teacher. The jailer’s daughter was named Julia and she had been born blind. Valentinus said yes, and he taught her history, science, and math. He had to read to her because she couldn’t see. He also taught her about God and the Christian faith. Julia asked Valentinus if God could hear people’s prayers, and he told her yes. Julius told Valentinus that every night she prayed that she could see. The teacher and student then knelt in prayer together and while they were on their knees, a blinding light flashed. Julia cried, Valentinus, I can see. Praise God was his answer. The legend goes on to say that the night before he was executed, Valentinus wrote a not to Julia. On that note he told her to stay close to God and he signed it from your Valentine. The next day, February 14 in the year 270 AD Valentinus was put to death. Today, centuries later we send messages of love or valentines to the ones that we care about. If you listen to the story, this was also the story of answered prayer and a glimpse of the glory of God. Today is also transfiguration Sunday. The last Sunday of epiphany and the Sunday before lent begins. This is the Sunday where we witness the enlightening transformation of Jesus before he goes into the most important phase of his ministry, his entrance into Jerusalem and his death. This is the Sunday where we start to see transformation. I know that it is really cold outside, it feels like we are in the dead of winter. But I can assure you that things are changing. Life is getting easier. A friend of mine pointed out that at 5:30 in the evening it is still light out, just one month ago it was still getting dark at 4:30 – 5 pm. Spring is only 35 days away. A month ago we were worrying about getting tested for Covid, today there is a vaccine, and the days when it is readily available are coming. Life is constantly in transition, there are always better days ahead. That is the theme of our scriptures today – the experience of transitions. One thing that you can look forward to in times of transition are the visions. There are short glimpses of the holy and of the better yet to come. In the transfiguration story – Jesus has been praying to be used by God, and things are about to get a little sticky. But before he goes into the intense part of his ministry, he takes his disciples up on a mountain and he begins to pray. As he is praying his two greatest mentors, Elijah and Moses join him and he starts to glow for just a minute, then it is all over. Life is back to normal. They come down off of the mountain, and go on about their ministry. It was the vision itself that tells them that life is about to change. Fog-Clearing Moments Most of us have had fog-clearing moments. A recent Gallop Poll reported that eighty-five percent of the people interviewed said that they had had a “mystical” experience with God. This is a high percentage! But, when you think about it, there have been those moments in life when we experienced God’s presence and purpose in ways that are deep, profound, and real. So great is that certainty that we would stake our lives upon its reality. Perhaps we cannot explain it, but it is real beyond the shadow of a doubt. Joe Pennel Jr., From Anticipation to Transfiguration, CSS Publishing Company This morning we are going to focus on the mentor and not the mentee. Our scripture for this morning is not the gospel lesson, but the Hebrew bible lesson. The story of Elijah and Elisha. This is s story of Elisha’s bravery and boldness. Elisha asks for a double portion of his mentor’s spirit. More importantly he asks to be an heir of Elijah. We do we call catholic priest – father – because that is what Elisha called Elijah. That is who Abraham is to us all – the father of our faith. Elijah promises that Elisha will get his wish if he is with him at the time of his departure. And sure enough a chariot of fire comes to get Elijah. His students search for days afterwards and never find a body. What I did not realize was that the chariot of fire was representative of an image of God prevalent in the middle eastern cultures. God was known as the divine warrior. God was at war with negativity and all of the bad things that happen to people. A chariot is only used on the battle field. It is this chariot that comes down to earth and takes up Elijah. What is the greatest enemy of humankind? What is the greatest threat to our wellbeing as people? Our greatest threat is death. In the scripture, everyone knew that Elijah was close to death. The other seminary students constantly reminded Elisha that he was going to loose his mentor every shortly. Elisha stuck to his mentor like glue, and refused to listen to the inevitable. The chariot of fire comes to get Elijah and he is delivered from the greatest enemy of all time – death. Elijah is one of three people in the bible who are taken up directly into heaven. Moses was taken up to heaven, but he is not one of the 3 people – he died before he was taken. As Elisha watched all of this unfolding – that was his transitional glimpse of God. A Night to Slow Down and See On one of his many travels across the United States Charles Kuralt unexpectedly spent a night on Mount McKinley. He had planned just a day visit, but the plane that carried him to the glacier was unable to bring him back. Since it was getting late Charles and Izzy, a photographer who worked with him, would have to spend the night. Charles admits a feeling of fear swept over him in that strange deserted place. There was a cabin on the mountain not too far from where they were, their pilot told them. They would be able to spend the night there. The men hiked for nearly an hour before they found the simple cabin. The cabin was small, six-sided and half buried in snow. Inside there were sleeping shelves along the walls. What seemed strange to Charles when he first arrived was the large windows. After eating stew the men were ready for bed. But then they looked out those same windows. They were taken by surprise by what they saw. For one night only they had the best seats on the planet for nature's most spectacular show. They stayed up watching in delight and wonder. The scene faded away only with the rising of the sun. Both of them were left awed and exhausted. That morning Charles began to wonder if maybe the pilot left him on the mountain on purpose. Maybe the pilot sized them up as a couple of guys who thought they were in a bigger hurry than they really were and would benefit from a night to slow down and look around and think about this place where they were. It would be a night Charles Kuralt would never forget. King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com A Visionary Moment One of my favorite stories about the United Nations is the story about Dag Hammarskjold, who was Secretary General of the UN many years ago in about 1961. Many of us like his book entitled, MARKINGS. MARKINGS is Hammarskjold’s notes of his life as Secretary General of the United Nations but it is also a spiritual diary of his spiritual journey. Hammarskjold was a mystic, believing in the mystery of life and the mysteriousness of God. In his diary, he wrote the following words: “Summoned to carry it; alone to assay it; chosen to suffer it; free to deny it. I saw for one moment the sail in the sun storm, far off on a wave crest, bearing from land. For one moment, I saw….” I love those words, “From that moment, I saw the sail in the sun storm, I saw.” And he continued, “From that moment, when I said Yes to Someone, I knew for sure that my life, in self surrender, had meaning and had a goal.” Hammarskjold could not necessarily name that moment. That may be true for you as well. Where you had a visionary moment in your life, and you cannot pinpoint the exactness of the time of that moment, but you knew that your life, in self surrender, had a meaning and a goal. You knew that God had called you for a purpose, for a destiny in this world, and that you surrendered yourself to a purpose larger than yourself. Edward F. Markquart, Visions on a Mountaintop Whether we realize it or not, we all have those transitional moments. We are living in a transitional time, when things are about to change for the better. What is our present encounter with death? What is our present encounter with the chariot of fire? How are we being rescued as we speak? In 2 Kings the hope came the day Elisha graduated from his training to be a prophet. He had all of the knowledge that he needed. Now he just needed to go into practice. He needed to inspiration to do what he needed. Now he received the mantle to continue on the work that his mentor started. I think we all have that mentor that cared enough about us to teach us all that we knew. I just learned recently that a mentor of mine just passed away. I am grateful for the time that we spent together. God Breaks into Our Lives William Boggs' grandfather played a very important role in his life. Grandpa Boggs had been blind for nearly twenty years. Grandpa would tell you quickly that the way the world was going he didn't much care to see it anyway. He did have one regret however. He had never seen his grandson. Sensing death closing in on him, William's grandfather began praying more intensely for the Lord to give him sight, just long enough to see his grandson before he died. The doctors had told him that it was an impossibility because his eyes had long since turned a milky blue from a disease. One day Grandpa was playing with his grandson when suddenly he could see. The whole family ran out into the yard to see what all the fuss was and quickly grew quiet as it become apparent that his vision had returned. Grandpa picked up his grandson, whom he had never seen, and stared at him with an intensity that frightened the child. William remembers holding his face between his small hands while both of them cried. Then in the most frightening moment of all, Grandpa saw something in William. It was an unbelievable, once in a lifetime experience. Grandpa looked his grandson in the eyes and softly said, "a preacher." That was all he said. Just those two words so quietly uttered with a tone of surprise. Thirty years later William wonders which was the greater miracle "that he could see or that he could see something so deeply hidden in William and William's distant future. William believes that his grandfather's voice that day was the voice of God. God breaks into our lives suddenly and distinctly. At such times our perspectives are changed. King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com We can always remember the mentor who cared for us, but it is important also that we remember the person that God puts in our lives to pass the mantle onto. The journey of a Christian requires us to both give and to receive our talents. Who is the mentee who you are tilling to give a double portion of your spirit to? The greatest mentor for us all is Jesus Christ. Jesus not only gives us a double portion, but he gave us all of his life. so that we could pass it on to others. Elijah has Elisha, Jesus has 3 million and counting that make up the body of Christ. Elijah has the chariot of fire, Jesus has to cross. In each case the chariot of fire – delivered them from the enemy of death. They both showed us that we too can be victorious over the thing that threatens our way of living today – death. It was the fact that Elisha was able to see this vision, that gave him a clear path of how to go on and to live and to do the work of God. True Miracles Once upon a time a group of disciples asked an elder, "Does your God work miracles?" The elder said, "Well, it all depends on what you mean by a miracle. Some people say it's a miracle that God does the will of the people. We say, it's a miracle when people do the will of God." Joan Chittister, The Role of Religion in Today's Society As we look at the vision today – we see There's nothing false about La Transfiguration - ecstasy, joy, awe and terror are all there: what you hear is what you get. All of that is present in the struggle in life. But when we are able to see that glimpse of the presence of God – we have to the strength to be present, for the next vision, the next transition the next victory over death. Happy Valentine’s day and keep the faith! Amen. Prayer Lord of infinite mercy, we would make a Broadway production of this Transfiguration event because we would not take the time to understand its significance for our lives. We are in such a hurry to memorialize everything that the power and meaning of the event become pale or altered in our memories. Help us look at Jesus with new eyes, those eyes that see him in light of the witness of the ages; that see Jesus as the One who comes to set people free, to heal, to bring hope and peace. Make us ready to become faithful disciples, rather than remaining dazzled by the mountaintop experience. Give us strength and courage this day to witness to Jesus’ love by the many deeds of mercy and justice we can offer in his name. For we offer ourselves, imperfect, but willing, to serve. AMEN. Lord’s Prayer Song for Reflection Shine Jesus Shine FWS 2173 Announcements Benediction Cry out! God’s word has been spoken. Cry out! Our hearts are filled with praise. Cry out! Our lives proclaim God’s glory. Cry out the bounty of God’s love. Children’s Sermon Children’s Sermon idea for Valentines Day / Sunday: Show the children how to say “I love you” in sign language. (One handed (see above) or Point to yourself (I), Cross your arms across your chest (Love) and then point to the other person (You). Show them a cut out paper heart with the words “I love you” written inside. Explain how we could also give a Valentines heart to people as a way of telling them we love them. Remind them how God showed his love by sending us his son Jesus. Remind them that it is important to tell people closed to us that we love them. -- (You might also want to tell them about Saint Valentine who demonstrated his love by helping people who were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus.) Or....try this Valentines Day kids sermon - Object lesson items: A red paper valentines heart (with the words “I love you.”) Full Valentines Day message: Good morning children! What special day does this heart remind you of? That’s right- Valentines Day. Saint Valentine was a real person who showed his wonderful love by helping people in need. Valentines Day is a great day to tell people how much we care about them and love them. This morning I want to show you a very interesting way of saying, “I love you.” I’ll show you how to say “I love you” in sign language. (Get the children to copy the hand motions for “I love you.” You could also show them the one handed method (Hand outstretched with 2 middle finger folded down.) What are some other ways we can tell people we love them? (Discuss the importance of demonstrating love and telling people with love them.) Those are all very good ideas. (Hold up a red paper heart) When I was young we would sometimes hand out red Valentines Day hearts to people. It was a simple way of telling people how much we cared about them. Do you see these words here? This says, “I love you.” There are many ways of showing people our love. Valentines Day is a good day to tell people and show people we love them. God showed his love to us by sending his son Jesus. It’s important that we pass on that love to others too. Children’s Prayer: Thank you for St. Valentine who showed his love by helping people in need. Help us to show love to others by our words and by our actions. In Jesus’ name – Amen! Additional Illustrations Mountain Top Experiences A man once testified in one of D.L. Moody's meetings that he had lived "on the Mount of Transfiguration" for five years. "How many souls did you lead to Christ last year?" Moody bluntly asked him. "Well," the man hesitated, "I don't know." "Have you saved any?" Moody persisted. "I don't know that I have," the man admitted. "Well," said Moody, "we don't want that kind of mountaintop experience. When a man gets up so high that he cannot reach down and save poor sinners, there is something wrong." W. Wiersbe, The Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, p. 202 The Love Cloud - Mark 9:2-9 Today marks the celebration of Valentinus of Rome, St. Valentine we call him.St. Valentine was a physician and a member of the clergy during the time of the Roman Empire. We know him as the patron saint of love and marriage. He was best known for his ministry to persecuted Christians allowing them to marry in secret after Emperor Claudius banned marriages during wartime to encourage men to battle. But Valentine was also known as a healer and comforter to the sick, those ill from plague, fainting, epilepsy, and other disorders. He was killed, martyred, on February 14 in the year 270 at the age of 44. One interesting story about Valentinus had to do with the healing of an aristocrat’s daughter while he was in his custody after his arrest. Father Valentinus told his jailor Asterius “how Christ leads pagans out of the shadow of darkness and into the light of truth and salvation. So Asterius told him, if he could heal his foster daughter from blindness, he would convert. Father Valentinus covered the girl’s eyes with his hands and said, “Lord Jesus Christ, en-lighten your handmaid, because you are God, the True Light.” At that, the child regained her sight. Asterius and his family were baptized according to their agreement, but when the Emperor heard the news, he ordered them all to be executed. Love has always been a two-edged sword, especially Christian love....