2-22-09

"FAREWELL TO EPIPHANY"

Rev. Jim Petersen

First Congregational UCC Great Falls, MT

2-22-09

Text: Matthew 17:1-8; II Peter 1:16-19

Well it comes to this every year, ready or not, the conclusion of the season of Epiphany. You can tell for we have rehung the white paraments with which we began the season on the Day of Epiphany, January 6. In between we have been green, for Epiphany Sundays two through six. I am sorry to have missed three of them with you, but I thank Laura, Janet and Denise, who preached so capably in my absence. I am proud of them.

So today we are white again for this is the last Sunday of Epiphany. I suppose it is farewell as well to the lovely Epiphany altar arrangement which June & Lori Anne Rovero presented us in loving memory of their mom/grandma, Phyllis Chalfon. Thank you, my dears.

For you see, this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and the beginning of the season of Lent. During which we will hang the purple paraments, and maybe even set up some broken pottery chards. Lent is not so lovely. Sorry about that.

During Epiphany we traditionally look at those stories which reveal for us who Jesus is, the Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. For instance, on the first Sunday of Epiphany we typically tell the story of the three kings, as the infant Jesus is "manifest" to the magi as the Christ-child. Which we did.

Then often, on the 2^nd Sunday of Epiphany, we retell the baptism story of Jesus, where the heavens open up and God "reveals," "This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased." Which we did.

Epiphanies, stories which reveal the presence of God in Jesus. One of the biggest and best epiphany stories is saved for the last Sunday of Epiphany. You heard it read this morning from Matthew, but it could have come from Mark or Luke - the story of the Transfiguration. Let's do it.

The Transfiguration comes at the completion of Jesus' teaching ministry in Galilee. It is a critical time in the life of Jesus, and in the life of the disciples. It is a turn pointing, pivotal in each of the three Gospels which tell the story. Call it a trying time or terrifying time or tempting time. We can recreate the scene.

Jesus was from Galilee, where some of us recently spent a week. It was lovely, 70 degree weather, birds, blossoms, and beautiful skies. Though born in Bethlehem of Judea, Jesus was from Nazareth of Galilee. We visited there as well, and toured a re-creation of Jesus' village. It was quite edifying, olive press, farm implements, weaving, typical home. We got a free olive-oil lamp. Mine broke in my luggage on the flight home. Which is perfect for Lent.

Jesus lived there all of his life, as far as we know, family and friends, perhaps schooling and working with his dad in nearby Sepphoris, for Nazareth was tiny, and Sepphoris, five miles north of Nazareth, was the capital of Galilee in those days, which Christian tradition says was also the home of Mary's folks.

So Jesus probably spent overnights at his grandparents' home in Sepphoris as well. Yes, we were there, also, viewing wonderfully preserved mosaic floors that date back to Jesus, including the Mona Lisa of mosaic floors, where her eyes seemed to follow you no matter the angle from which you viewed her. Which was kind of cool, or creepy. Right Brian?

Galilee is in the north. Judea in the south. With sorry Samaria sandwiched in between. Put it together and call it Palestine.

As far as the Galileans were concerned, Judea, and its capital, Jerusalem, were corrupt places. In our minds, Jerusalem is a holy city. A destination point. In fact, if they'd behave themselves over there, and live up to the name of their city, Jeru-salem, which means "city of peace," what a world we could have.

It was peaceful while we were there, for which we prayed, sticking our prayers in the Western Wall. Cool and drizzly the day we walked down the Mount of Olives, but otherwise quite pleasant. Right, Patsy?

For the Galileans, Jerusalem was evil. It was the seat of power, site of oppressive taxation. Not pretty. With Roman soldiers garrisoned there.

Furthermore, the Jewish bureaucrats were based there, from which agents were sent out to keep tabs on itinerant preachers like Jesus. The scribes stood in the crowds in Galilee and took notes, reporting back their superiors in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was a bad place in the minds of the Galileans.

All the disciples were Galileans. They were happy in Galilee. Things were going well for the disciples. Jesus was growing in popularity, and their own status as celebrities was emerging, especially as Jesus' powers rubbed off on them, and they, too, performed ministries and miracles. The disciples were not looking to move on. They were settling in for a successful, long term pastorate along the shorelines of Galilee.

But after an action packed year, they are at a retreat in Caesarea Philippi, in the lovely foothills of Mt. Carmel. Ask Don Joyner, he'll tell you, along the giant springs which are the headwaters of the Jordan River. For Jesus and his disciples it is one of those encounter group experiences, where Jesus tells the disciples the hard facts of life: it is time to go to Jerusalem to suffer and die.

The disciples understandably protest, most vocally Peter, who as we know has the highest testosterone level of the twelve.

Peter does not want to do Jerusalem. He's a fisherman from Capernaum on the northern shores of Galilee. We saw his alleged home there, right Julie? Or at least his mother's-in-law home, with whom we believe Peter stayed.

That's punishing enough. Perish the thought of his mentor suffering and dying. So Peter objects, you might remember, to whom Jesus responds, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me." (16:23) Which is what "Satan" means in Hebrew, that which stands in opposition to the will of God or adversary.

Then to all the disciples Jesus says, "If you want to be my disciples, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me." (16:24) It must have been an uncomfortable time. Things were going so well in Galilee, and now this difficult decision. It is a moment of truth. Which path to take? Back down the mountain to the friendly crowds and sunny seaside of Galilee? Or take up their cross and hit the rocky road to Jerusalem?

The disciples decide to follow Jesus. But it must have been awkward. Jesus knew their questions and equivocations their quivers and qualms. It is six days later now. Six silent, pensive days I suspect. They are traveling south to Jerusalem when we come to the next scene in the Gospels.

Jesus takes three of his disciples aside. The executive committee of Peter, James and John. Jesus says, "Come with me," and they hike up a hill. Tradition has it as Mt. Tabor. No, our group did not hike up, though I would have liked to. But we did drive by, seeing the Catholic church atop the sight.

The Gospel writers tell this story in order to remind us of another story, a biblical story back in the Old Testament, which you also heard read this morning.

We are to remember Moses, who also climbed a mountain in a trying time, a time in which his people were moaning and groaning, fretting and fearing the journey before them. Moses climbed the mountain, and had an epiphany, an appearance of God.

Moses saw the glory of God, concretized in the Commandments. When he came down the mountain, his face shone bright, reflective of his epiphany. Evidence of the manifestation of God. The people rallied, their spirits renewed.

Gold bulls behind them, they continued their journey to the Promised Land. We visited this alleged sight on our journey, camping out at St. Catherine's Monastery, one of the oldest continuous Christian monasteries in the world, at the base of Mt. Sinai. We covered a lot of ground, didn't we? It was a great trip! Though we did not climb Mt. Sinai either. I'm going back.

So Jesus goes up a mountain, like Moses, only not alone. He goes with James, John and Peter. There Jesus is Transfigured, that is, his face lights up like the sun, and his clothing turns dazzling bright. Peter and the other disciples see this. It can only mean one thing. They are in the

presence of God's glory. Shining like the sun is the signature of God. In other words, like Moses, another epiphany.

The disciples, their eyes covered from the brightness, look up and behold, see Moses and Elijah, standing on either side of the dazzling Jesus. Of course the disciples recognize them right away. They are Jewish. Furthermore, they realize what this means, the presence of Moses and Elijah.

Moses represents the Law, brought down from the mountain on stone tablets. Elijah represents the prophets, for he is the first of the biblical prophets. Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the prophets.

In fact, this was a phrase in Judaism, "The Law and the prophets," which meant, the ultimate authority. If something was done according to "the Law and the prophets," nothing more need be said. It was so. Done deal. Sealed by God.

Jesus stands with Moses and Elijah, the Law and the prophets. In other words, Jesus is anointed with the ultimate Hebrew authority. Jesus, with Moses on one side, Elijah the other, is confirmed the Lord of Life, the Son of God. It could not be any more clear.

But just in case this is not enough to convince the skeptics, the dazzling white and the presence of Moses and Elijah, it is at this moment that the heavens open up and a voice is heard to say, "This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased." Whoa! Does this sound familiar? Have we heard this before?

Yes, this is a repetition of the baptismal pronouncement, with which we began Epiphany, and another of our sites visited, Bethany Beyond the Jordan, right Hank, the place of Jesus' baptism, only this time with a kicker, for now the disciples are present to overhear, unlike at the baptism, so the voice from heaven adds a tag on for their benefit, "Listen to him!"

The listening disciples fall to the ground, overcome with fear - always an appropriate response when found to be in the presence of God. The disciples get it. They see Jesus in his full and future glory.

Jesus had spoken of his suffering and death. The disciples could neither understand this nor accept this. Now they see the Risen Lord beyond the suffering and death. Still beyond their understanding, they see the holiness of Jesus, which touches them and empowers them. They get up, and continue the journey, no questions asked, their commitment convinced, at least for the time being.

Because of this epiphany, the disciples can follow. Because of this manifestation, the disciples can make it. Because of this revelation, the disciples will one day themselves preach the Resurrection.

Which is what Peter is doing in our second reading for this morning. Peter's letter is written at a time of extreme Christian persecution, when to keep the faith was to put your life at risk. It is also written at a time when false teachings are rampant within the church, threatening to convert Christianity into a new age Gnosticism.

Peter makes reference to the Transfiguration. Did you hear it? He expects his own death may be coming soon, and he is anxious to share one more time, in writing, what he experienced to be true at the Transfiguration.

Peter writes, "We were eyewitnesses of Jesus' majesty. For he received honor and glory from God when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ?This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.' "

Do you hear it? Peter is making reference to the Transfiguration. Not the baptism, Peter wasn't there, but to the Transfiguration. He is saying, don't listen to the false teachings or fear the corrupt powers. Listen to the disciples, who had a transforming epiphany atop Mt. Tabor with Jesus, which opened their eyes and enabled them to see the truth.

And the truth is, do you hear me, my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, who are suffering terrible persecution, "Christ's divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness (1:3)...including entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (1:11)

Then Peter, who has become the rock, upon whom Jesus has founded the church, writes these beautiful lines to his beloved congregation, "You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."

By the way, you might like to know, in the early church the "morning star" was one of the symbols for Jesus. In a dark time Peter writes reassuringly "until the day dawns and the morning star (our Lord) rises in your heart."

In life we are often looking through a foggy mist. This is how Paul describes it, "through a glass darkly." (I Corinthians 13:12). Death, of course, is the ultimate darkness.

Many in Peter's church, including Peter, himself, were facing death. So he was moved to share his Transfiguration experience, which was an epiphany.

You see, though life is often like stepping out of the shower and seeing a steamed up mirror, there are some times, rare times, special times, when we do see, as Paul says, face to face. This is called an epiphany, or revelation, or vision, when heaven and earth are no longer separated, and we can see clearly now.

Blessedly, this often happens when we need it the most, and expect it the least, like around death. You hang around death much, and you collect a lot of stories about light or flowers or birds or butterflies. Many of you have told me this.

We have yellow roses on our altar this morning, in memory of Dick Hughes. On Leap Day, 1952, Dick Hughes became engaged to Barbara Eneboe with yellow roses. The yellow rose has been their signature flower ever since.

On June 19, 1992, Barbara gave Dick a yellow rose bush to celebrate their 40^th anniversary, even though Barb knew Dick would not live to see it bloom for he was dying of cancer. One month later, on July 21, the rose bush burst into blossom, uncharacteristically abundant and

James Agee wrote a book entitled, A Death in the Family. It is about his father. He tells the story as they were lowering his father's casket into the grave, a butterfly alighted on the top of the casket, and sat there, fanning its wings, until the casket reached its place of destination at the bottom of the grave. Then it pumped its wings once more, and flew into the sky.

Writes Agee, "There was more of God in that butterfly, than in all the words the preacher said." It was for him, the bereaved son, an epiphany - a candle in the dark.

Wrote Peter of his epiphany, "You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."

May the morning star rise in your hearts. This is why we have been doing the season of Epiphany, including this last Sunday of Epiphany and the story of the Transfiguration.

That you might have a pocketful of epiphanies as you journey through your valleys of Lent, "until the day dawns." God love you. AMEN.