02 March 2025 - Transfiguration Sunday, Year C

 

Theme

The obvious theme running through this week’s readings is the theme of Transfiguration. Every year, this Sunday, we reflect on Jesus’ transfiguration. Jesus’ transfiguration experience is similar to Moses’ experience of meeting with God on a mountain and being transformed so that those who saw him were amazed and terrified. In Corinthians, Paul riffs on Moses’ story in order to provide meaning of the story for his present readers.

Scriptures

Exodus 34:29-35 - Moses descends from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments. His face is radiant because he had spoken to God. The people were afraid of Moses. After giving the commandments to the people, Moses covered his face with a veil until he returned to the tent of meeting to speak with God again. 

Psalm 99 - A psalm declaring the glories of God. It speaks about God’s goodness (and discipline) of God’s people.

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 - Paul refers to Moses covering his face with a veil, saying that whenever the Old Covenant is being read, the same veil covers peoples minds so that they do not understand. According to Paul, this veil is removed when a person turns to the Lord and believes in Christ. “All who have that veil removed, can see and reflect the glory of God. 

Luke 9:28-36, (37-43a) - Jesus ascends a mountain with Peter, John and James. As he prays, his face is transformed and his clothes become dazzling white. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appear and talk with Jesus. The disciples were asleep, but woke up to see the glorious scene. Peter asks to erect three tents as memorials for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. A dark cloud covered them and a mighty voice declare, “this is my Son, my chosen One. Listen to him.”

The Context

In Jewish tradition, it is common and acceptable to reinterpret scripture for the modern context. We see Jesus doing this often. For example, Jesus often said “you have heard it said, but I tell you.” What Jesus was doing here, was taking well-known Scriptures and putting a new spin on them. Perhaps Paul was doing the same thing in this Corinthians passage. Was the veil of moses originally intended to be a metaphor for people being blind until entering into a relationship with Christ? Probably not. But Paul takes this well-known story and uses it to reveal how having a relationship with Christ can open up our eyes to see and experience God’s glory in the world around us. 

On a quick side note: It is strange how these days, anyone who reinterprets scripture for today’s context (like Jesus and Paul did), is often shunned and referred to as a heretic.

Personal Application

Throughout the Scriptures, God’s people would ascend mountains to commune with God. This spiritual practice has continued throughout the ages in many religious traditions. In most African cultures, mountains are incredibly important and provide people with an opportunity to meet with the divine. In Christianity, mystics and spiritual seekers often retreat into nature to spend time acutely aware of God’s presence. 

In our gospel reading, Peter has an awesome experience witnessing Jesus communing with Moses and Elijah and asks Jesus if he can erect tents for them to stay on the mountain. Many of us would also love to stay on the mountain, close to God and away from the challenges of life. But the beauty of the Gospel story is that we are always in the presence of God, no matter where we find ourselves. Peter was so intent on preserving that moment that he forgot that Jesus would be going back down the mountain with him. It is good to put ourselves in situations where we are better able to connect with God, but how can we become better aware of God who is with us in every area of our lives?

Communal Application

In the Old Testament, only certain people were able to meet with God and they did so in specific places. God was believed to have resided in the temple and this is where people went to meet with God. As Christians, because of Christ’s promise to always be with us in the person of the Holy Spirit, we have access to God in every place at every moment. 

The ancient Israelites would enjoy visiting the temple because this is where they were near the presence of God. Even though we know God is not confined to a building, the Church still has a vital role to play in helping people meet with the divine. The Church has the potential to be a place where people can become acutely aware of the presence of God in the midst of others. They can then take this experience out into their everyday lives as they live in the presence of God in the world. 

How can we as a Church become places where people can best meet with God?