The Old South Church in Boston

"Transforming Grace, Transfigured Lives"

Sermon by Lael P. Murphy

March 5, 2000

Psalm 121; Mark 9: 2-8*

"Life is difficult." That's how M. Scott Peck, author and psychiatrist, chose to open his widely acclaimed book The Road Less Traveled back in 1978. With those three simple words he summarized the challenge of what it means to be human, continuing then in the next three hundred pages to express the sense of meaning and purpose that comes from living responsibly. He writes in the introductory chapter: "What makes life difficult is that the process of confronting and solving problems is a painful one…and since life poses an endless series of problems, life is always difficult and is full of pain as well as joy." Nearly a century earlier, the French explorer, Charles Foucauld, put it this way: "Difficulties are not a passing condition that we must allow to blow over like a storm so that we can set to work when the calm returns. They are the normal condition."

The author of our Gospel reading knew this was true. Like these two writers of more modern times, Mark faced the reality of life's challenges on an ongoing basis. Ministering to a community facing unending threats of persecution, oppression and inner turmoil, this early apostle lived in the heart of despair. To the statement, "Life is difficult," Mark would say with a knowing nod, "Tell me about it," quite possibly adding, then, "That's why I wrote the gospel you're reading this morning."

People turn to so many different things when times get tough. Dealing with the difficulties of the human condition takes as many forms as there are types of people: some turn to the bottle or drugs to find comfort; others may bury their pain in the continual pursuit of money, or knowledge, or power; still others may find fleeting escape through the accumulation of material things. For the author of Mark, expressing the redeeming presence of Christ in this world was the way he sought to find and offer hope. Ministering to a young community of Christian believers in the seventh decade of that first century, this apostle was the first to write a full account of the life and teachings of Christ, bringing with his efforts a new genre of sacred text. No one had written a gospel before. In the developing Christian movement there were only letters, primarily from Paul. A gospel ? a testament of "good news" as the word is literally translated ? was a brand new concept that was desperately needed. From the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem to Rome's oppressive, tyrannical rule, Jews and Gentiles alike were facing tragedy and despair. And so Mark reached out, offering words of comfort, truth and challenge.

Looking at the scene before us today as a microcosm of such an effort may help us to better understand this phenomenal scene. The transfiguration ? such a magnificent and surreal event ? is, after all, a pivotal moment in the Christian story. Placed directly after Jesus' first declaration that he would have to "undergo great suffering," and following his teaching that, "If any want to be my followers let them take up their cross and follow me," this account comes as a moment of spiritual and literary relief. Preparing to face the condemnation of Roman and Jewish authorities, Jesus warns his disciples that they will have to do the same. "It's not going to be easy," is the message at the close of chapter eight. Behind those words we can sense Mark's presence. "Did you hear that? It's not going to be easy." he's saying. "Don't tell me I didn't warn you."

Entering chapter nine as we do with today's lectionary reading we see that while it may not be easy, it's definitely worth the effort. That's the follow-up message we get here in this story as the transfiguration works to offer a glorious vision of hope and inspiration to those struggling disciples. Revealing the power behind Christ's ministry and teachings, naming this prophet as the beloved Son of God, Mark demonstrates the fact that persevering as disciples means knowing salvation and eternal promise. Just as Peter, James and John are given witness to the majesty of Christ's presence within this text, so are the members of this early Christian community. As summarized by Lamar Williamson, biblical scholar and theologian, "Mark's Gospel seems to assume that [the] readers [here] are Christians who know of Jesus' death and resurrection but who need further instruction in the meaning of Messiahship and the requirements of discipleship." And so we see Mark give them this vision, pointing their eyes and their hearts away from the day-to-day struggles and persecution they face to the glorious presence of God. "This is my Son," says that voice through the clouds. "This is the Beloved; listen to him!"

* * *

Saint Augustine once wrote that faith is, "To believe that which you do not yet see; and the reward of faith is to see that which you do believe." Contemplating the transfiguration story in this light we can appreciate how such verses gave the members of Mark's community a renewed sense of purpose and conviction. This text provided a clear image of what they sensed to be true; it realized a hope that was strong though perhaps beginning to falter. Consistent with Augustine's conception of faith, the portrait of Christ transfigured offered a kind of reward, allowing those converts to continue on with the struggles they had to endure. Whether literally or figuratively, they moved on to Jerusalem with Christ. Surrounded by oppressive forces they continued onward, enlightened and renewed.

Christ transfigured, our lives transformed. Just last week I experienced a similar kind of communal renewal here in our church. Gathering with members of the international group called Church Women United in the Gordon Chapel last Friday there existed an ecumenical spirit of reaching out for God's abiding, universal presence. It was the annual World Wide Day of Prayer service, women and men gathering on all continents and from all denominations. This year the liturgy was prepared by Christian leaders from Indonesia, with a special appeal for the well-being of youth. An introductory portion of the program read: "Multinational corporations have established factories in Indonesia that utilize child labor and exploit young people...[ But] the Indonesian women see the hand of Jesus reaching out. They are responding to the call to stand up in the name of Christ for their younger sisters [and brothers]. We are invited to stand up in faith and action with the people of Indonesia -- to celebrate their gifts to the world and to stand up against human rights violations. We are invited to stand up with and for them."

This service, this time of "standing up" in prayer and reflection not only brought members and friends of this organization together around the globe, it also helped to unite the people of our church with our larger family of faith here in the inner city. Coming together to pray for healing, to celebrate hope, to wait and listen for God's call to action is always one of the powerful ways we experience and share the Spirit of Christ in this present day. Like our times of Sunday worship it's as though we climb the mountainside with Jesus and the others, seeking peace and truth while entering the mystery of God's holy presence. With worship and prayer we recognize our need for deeper relationship with God and with our community of faith. As those women of Indonesia wrote in a statement of renewal for this worldwide service:

It is our challenge, our concern, and responsibility as the Church
to prepare and to strengthen each member,
to enable them to respond to the changes in our time and
to bear witness to God's power, the power of Resurrection!

To these words the congregation responded

Let us remember to fan into flame the gift of God that is in us.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,
but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.

* * *

"I lift my eyes to the hills. From where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Like those familiar words of Psalm 121 we remember with men and women throughout the ages that calling out to God is the first step to opening ourselves to such holy presence. In the face of oppressive social forces that exist in lands from Indonesia to our own city streets to the ongoing, more personal challenges of daily living, we call out for God's help and healing ? as a body united as well as individuals seeking nurture and care. Life is difficult, we know, and like those first disciples we need assurance and care. Following Christ we need visions of hope that will help us to fan into flame the gifts of God's Spirit within us.

With texts like the transfiguration account I believe we are pointed toward such help and hope. While the surreal nature of this miraculous scene may at first appear to be a stumbling block I think we need to appreciate the power these verses held for those early disciples. An oppressed and desperate people, we may empathize with their plight, realizing the ways in which we, too, are tired and confused. With the image of Jesus clothed in dazzling light before us we can reach for the times our faith has made perfect sense, the moments of transforming grace that have changed our hearts, our ways. Then, recalling together the majesty of God's presence in our lives we can step back and say, "We know God. We trust Christ's guidance. We've felt his care, seen his glory. This truly is God's beloved, the one we call our Savior."

That is what we do here all the time. From the faithful sharing in our fellowship and study groups to the more quiet moments of communal reflection and prayer, we come together in faith, offering visions of God's transcendent glory to one another. Speaking or listening, we come to the mountainside to witness the redemptive power of Christ's Spirit together, remembering the words of John Henry Jewett, the English preacher who said, "God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters." Through the grace of God we're moved to share our moments of transformation, confessing our need for such wondrous and amazing grace. Like Mark's writings to those struggling disciples, we offer visions of hope and glory.

It's not going to be easy. That's the warning given to those first disciples and it's the reality we face in our day-to-day lives. Life is difficult, and yet our faith serves as a continual reminder that God is with us, offering strength to continue forward. We remember that like Christ we suffer but that also like Christ we are given new life, courageous hope, a commitment to live fully in the face of despair. Our faith transfigured, our lives are transformed, moving us forward to offer the love and mercy of God to all the world.

And so on this Sunday that marks the last of the Epiphany season we remember that as the shining star led those wise men to the manger at its start so our celebration of Christ's transfiguration sheds dazzling light at its end. May we carry this brilliance with us through all the mountains and valleys of our days.

Let us pray.

Holy God, walking in your way we seek your mercy and guidance. Sharing Christ's love as it has changed our lives we need your strength and understanding. Inspire us, we pray, that no matter what difficulties may come our way we may give glory to your name, as did Christ, your Son, our Savior.

Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills ? from where will my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in

from this time on and forevermore.

Mark 9: 2-8

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus.