This coming Sunday, February 11, is known as the Sunday of the Transfiguration. Our Gospel Lesson is the story of a vision seen by three of Jesus' disciples - Peter, James and John. The vision was of Jesus transfigured into a glowing, bright white, luminous figure - appearing with the Old Testament prophet Elijah and Moses. Perhaps you know the story. You can read it in Mark 9:2-9.
The disciples are confused by this vision. They don't know how to behave in the shadow of such an experience. I'm not sure I would have either. But what's most interest to me is the fact that having appeared, Moses and Elijah then disappear leaving only Jesus and his disciples. And then there is a voice from heaven, "This my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him!" All their lives these disciples have been taught to listen the Moses - the Law - and Elijah - the prophets. Now this!
So this Sunday . . . The question is "To whom do we listen? And why?" The question is one of "continuity" and "discontinuity" in our lives. The old - what was and has been - can only stretch so far in changing times. When does the rubber band break?
And then what?
Pr. Dave Brauer-Rieke
