Transfiguration

This coming Sunday is designated as the Transfiguration of Jesus according to Mark.  It is rather timely dear brothers and sisters. Make no mistake about it, we are currently smack dab in the middle of a transfiguration experience.  In the scriptures this passage is meant to provide the onlookers (Peter, James, and John) with a moment of utter clarity about who this Jesus is.  The word itself, according to Johanna Katchen, is an English word with Latin components that mean to change the shape or form of a figure/person.  The Greek word is metamorphosis which also means the change of some form or shape.  The witnesses knew they had experienced something big, so big in fact that they were terrified.  Mystical experiences evoke just such a response.  They wanted to rationalize what was an irrational experience, beyond sound explanation.  They also seemed to want to "do" something, build three dwellings, one for Jesus, Elijah, and Moses who appeared with Jesus.  Instead they heard a voice instructing them to listen, not talk or do, just listen.

Our world is currently undergoing a metamorphosis, shapes and forms are changing.  Sure, we can point to what we see with our eyes and know with our heads and point blame till we are blue in the face, but that will not change the mystical reality of what is happening.  The witnesses of this event, that would be us, know that something really big is happening and many are terrified, which by the way is a normal reaction to a mystical experience.  There are some running around trying to rationalize and figure out exactly what, how, and why this is happening.  Others are desperately trying to figure out what to "do" to make it all better somehow.  However, deep within my being I know beyond knowing that it is just for a time as this that we have been preparing for and that has absolutely nothing to do with our bank accounts.  Instead it has everything to do with whether or not we are listening. 

This is a time for inward stillness and deep listening.  Only from such a place can we access stamina, creativity, love, generosity, forgiveness, optimism, peace, beauty, and abundance as we watch the world as we knew it transfigure before us.  God said to the witnesses, "This is my Son, the beloved, listen to him."  We are a people of the Incarnation. The Source of creation, the Trinity, God, Jesus, Spirit, is incarnated in and through all creation, in each and every one of us, and the Creator says, "You are my beloved, Listen, Listen, Listen." 

The invitation is to recall with utter clarity who you really are as a child of the Universe where there is much love for you.  When you are in a place of fear, dread, negativity, panic, scarcity, you cannot access the love that is waiting, available, and eager to surround you.  The world may transfigure before our eyes, but the things that are eternal remain.  Focus upon these things and you too will be transfigured.  Listen, Listen, Listen.