Last Sunday of Epiphany Year C (Lk 9:28-43a) – 02/14/2010

This morning we celebrate the last Sunday of the season of Epiphany. Not so long ago we started our journey through Epiphany by watching the bright star rise above Jesus, the Christ child, as he lie in the manger; and we now draw close to the end of this season by watching the dazzling light of the transfigured Son of God. Whether a bright star in the heavens or the transfigured face of Jesus, the season of Epiphany joyously proclaims the glory of God given to us in the gift of God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Yet as we listen to our Scripture readings this morning, the joyous light and glory of Epiphany does not seem to appear before us without complication; without controversy; without a very present tension between the glorious gifts given from heaven and the difficult realities of our earthly life. As we experience the tension between heaven and earth, we might find ourselves drawn one way or the other (perhaps clinging to all things sacred at the expense of the world or maybe we are pulled into the busyness of the world and leave our relationship with God for another time), but if we stand fast in the center of the tension: we experience something completely different – we become transformed and we discover that Christ has acted to redeem and renew us in the midst of our humanity.

Little more than one month ago today, we all experienced the dramatic and devastating images of the reality of human suffering in Haiti. The shock and sadness of such an event seemed to be compounded by the fact that the incredible destruction was inflicted upon a community of people already suffering from poverty and other challenges. The daily burden of life in Haiti seemed to be as heavy as the weight of the fallen buildings. Yet, set against these difficulties there were countless stories full of hope and blessings. Most recently, a young man was discovered in the rubble of a destroyed market, rescued after nearly 4 weeks of survival under the destruction.[i]  His survival was certainly miraculous, and the people who reportedly brought him water until he could be rescued were part of that miracle. There is another story that I heard in the days that followed the earthquake about a young graduate student from Arizona State University who was in Haiti with her brother serving as an adult literacy volunteer. I watched an interview of this young woman, Christa Brelsford, on the Today Show and listened as she told Matt Lauer of her attempt to run outside before the building collapsed. She fell down and was caught by falling debris, which eventually caused her to lose her lower right leg.[ii] These stories and the continuing journey of the people of Haiti highlight the reality of the tension we can experience between the glorious gifts of heaven and the challenges of our earthly existence. If we speak only of miracles, we neglect the suffering; if we calculate only the loss and destruction, we abandon hope; but if we stand in the tension between heaven and earth, we are transformed by God’s glory and redeemed by Christ’s love.

This morning, we hear of God’s glory made manifest to Peter, John and James through the Transfiguration of Jesus at the top of the mountain. The Transfiguration of Christ is not simply a transformation of Christ’s appearance to his disciples, but the experience is intended to teach the disciples the true nature of Christ and of Christ’s mission on earth. Jesus speaks with Moses (the giver of the Law) and with Elijah (the greatest of the prophets) – Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Jesus speaks of his future departure in Jerusalem (meaning his future death and resurrection), and as he speaks of these events he is not defeated, but is shining brightly with the glory of God – representing Christ’s victory of Easter morning. Meanwhile, the disciples struggle to stay awake and nearly miss the entire event. The disciples are confused, at times are terrified and finally instructed to keep silent. But they are also instructed by God, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him” – for God understands that the disciples have much to learn in the days ahead. The actions and misunderstandings of Peter, John and James are made more apparent to us in their failure to heal the boy inflicted with the unclean spirit. Their failure to heal the young boy prompts Jesus’ angry reply about their lack of faith and I imagine the entire experience continues their confusion and humbles them before the crowds. I can relate quite well with Peter, John and James because I too experience occasions where I feel a bit confused, perhaps overwhelmed and humbled by what God is doing in my life. I think this tension is often present in our lives – and today we are asked to examine this tension and determine how we will respond. God has given us a clue: This is my Son – listen to him!

If we listen to Jesus as he speaks to Moses and Elijah on the top of the mountain, we hear him talk about his death and resurrection in Jerusalem. There is no greater tension between heaven and earth than Christ’s death on the cross and there is no greater victory than Christ’s resurrection. Jesus understood the events that waited for him in Jerusalem, yet his obedience to God led him to the cross. And as we celebrate this last Sunday of the season of Epiphany, the season of Christ’s light and glory to the world, we also stand on the doorstep of Lent, the season that reminds us that we, too, must carry our cross if we are to be followers of Christ, true disciples of God’s only Son. And if we carry our cross as followers of Christ, we cannot help but stand fast and live in the tension between heaven and earth and become transformed.

One of the most striking memories I have from watching the interview of Christa Brelsford is when she was asked if she was traumatized when she realized she would lose her leg due to her injuries. She replied that she never really thought her leg could be saved and she was never really worried about it. And with a big smile across her face, she replied that she was just very thankful to be alive. She continued, saying that she would still get to live her life and there are a lot of people in Haiti who won’t.[iii] Christa Brelsford is an amazing example of someone who is able to live in the tension between heaven and earth and capture the glory of God and commit herself to discipleship of the world. As we end this season of Epiphany and stand at the threshold of Lent, we too are called to live in the tension between heaven and earth through the practices of prayer and discipleship. Tension and uncertainty may always be with us, but the glory of God is ever present to transform our lives and through Christ’s love, we are redeemed and restored to new life. Amen

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[i] CNN Online, “Doctors: Haitian may have survived 4 weeks in rubble,” Dr. Sanjay Gupta contributing, 2/9/2010, accessed 2/12/2010: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/08/haiti.rescue/

[ii] Today MSNBC online, “She lost leg in Haiti, but she’s glad to be alive,” by Mike Celizic, 1/15/2010, accessed 2/11/2010: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34876138/ns/today-today_people/

[iii] Today MSNBC online, “She lost leg in Haiti, but she’s glad to be alive,” by Mike Celizic, 1/15/2010, accessed 2/11/2010: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34876138/ns/today-today_people/