| Title: | Heaven and Earth |
| Scripture: | Mark 9:2-9 |
| Date: | 3/2/03 Transfiguration Sunday (Yr. B) |
| Rev. Joy Haertig |
Our Christian calendar tells us that we have come to the close of the season of Epiphany and will begin the Season of Lent, this Wednesday. We began Epiphany hearing the story of Jesus' baptism and the blessing he received from God as he rose from the Jordan waters. And now we close Epiphany with the story of the “Transfiguration” where Jesus goes away with three of his disciples and is “transfigured” before them, shining like the sun, and blessed once again by the voice of God. The stories of Jesus baptism and transfiguration have a powerful, mystical quality to them. These kinds of extra-ordinary stories and experiences open our eyes to what has been there all along but is often hidden behind the clouds of the ordinary.
The story of the transfiguration reminds me of what it is like on one of those blessed summer nights out camping when you roll out of your sleeping bag for a much needed stretch. You walk a short way and find yourself standing open-mouthed in the middle of a meadow, bathed in the light of the moon and in awe of the glorious night sky.
The stars have been there all along, but clouds or the city lights have blocked your view night after night. Their beauty takes your breath away - in that moment with your feet firmly planted on the ground and your head in the stars - you see how awesomely heaven and earth dance and sing together.
The image of Jesus shining forth the light of God is like the night sky. That light was always there, the disciples just haven't seen it quite so clearly.
It is not hard to see God's light (or “kingdom”) within Jesus, for that is why we call him the Christ, but I believe that all creation reveals the light of God within it.
I believe that each of you reveal the light of God. The light of God, the kingdom of God, the intersection of heaven and earth - whatever metaphor you like best - the light of God is found within you and shines forth from you as well.
Heaven and earth intersect daily in an amazing blend of grace and beauty. Perhaps those extra-ordinary moments seem more definably “God-filled” when the clouds part and the stars sing, but you can see the holy in the ordinary as well, weaving its touch in the gift of breath or the purple of crocus.
I do not understand religious traditions that see our earthly time as nothing more than a hell of sorts that we must live through as some kind of a test in order to make it to the “sweet bye and bye”. Instead I see eternity all around and within each of us, for me God's kingdom always has a now and a not yet quality about it.
Whenever we pray the Lord's prayer and say, “Your Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven”, I usually smile just a bit because I know that God's Kingdom is on earth as it is in heaven. Certainly not in its totality as we might like - but it is still here, around us and within us, and for that I give thanks.
Writer Andrew Harvey describes it this way - “The universe is a sacred marriage between God and matter, spirit and flesh, an entirely sacred holy emanation of divine love.”
In the story of the transfiguration we are invited to celebrate and affirm the profound connection between heaven and earth that is embodied in Jesus, but is also embodied in each of us.
Marianne Williamson wrote these wonderful words: “…You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world…We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
We struggle to embrace such a belief - we have been taught that God is out there somewhere, not in here - in us. We aren't good enough, perfect enough, to be the bearer's of God's light. But as long as we believe that, then God's light won't shine quite as brightly. As long as we believe that God's light and will, is embodied by Jesus alone, then less of God's shalom will be revealed.
I remember an experience Henri Nouwen wrote about when he was sitting with a former student on the lawn one day. They were enjoying reconnecting again after time apart. After talking for a while they sat in silence together and then the student said to Henri, “it is good to be here with you, the Christ in me recognizes the Christ in you.” Henri was deeply touched by his words and his willingness to proclaim such an awareness. There is an Indian word that actually means that very thing - the word is “Nameste” - and it means: the Christ in me recognizes the Christ in you.
Indeed, God shines through Jesus in a way like no other - but that does not deny that God shines through us as well. Heaven and earth intersect within and around us - it is part of God's design. I see Christ's light within you my friends - “Nameste”. And I must say, that light is as breath-taking-ly beautiful as the night sky in August. Amen.