Recognition

Today is the last Sunday after the Epiphany. Today is the last day you’ll see green vestments for a while. Today is the last day we’ll say Alleluia in our corporate worship until Easter dawns. Our observance of Lent begins on Wednesday with Ash Wednesday services. Every year on this last Sunday after the Epiphany we hear one or another Gospel’s version of the transfiguration. Jesus’ transfiguration. We just heard Mark tell it. Jesus takes Peter, James and John and they go up a high mountain apart and before their eyes Jesus is transfigured. Standing right there in front of them he becomes dazzling white and shines forth with all of the glory of God.

We call this the story of Jesus’ transfiguration, but what happens to Peter, James and John on that mountaintop is actually more important. This is really the story of their recognition, their coming to awareness of God’s presence with them. They realize that they are face to face with God. Jesus has been filled with the glory of God all along, but in this experience Peter, James and John recognize all the wonder and glory of God present with them in their lives, close enough to touch.

I’ve had the chance to discuss this Gospel passage with several small groups this week. One question has been: Why did only Peter, James and John experience the transfiguration. What about the other nine disciples and all of the other followers of Jesus who evidently were left at the bottom of the mountain? And how did the others feel when Peter, James and John came back down? Envious, resentful?

But what if the circumstances were completely different? Maybe all of those other disciples had already figured out that Jesus was God; maybe they already knew that in Jesus, God was with them throughout their lives. Maybe Peter, James and John didn’t “get” special invitations to an exclusive event; maybe they “had” to go up the mountain for a little remedial work. The great voice from heaven might have boomed: “This is my Son, you nitwits! Now, do you understand?” And when they came down the mountain the others could have said: Do you finally get it? Peter, James and John are described as a bit theologically slow elsewhere in Scripture. Wouldn’t you know it took some over the top mountain experience for them to figure it out. The others might have recognized the presence of God in Jesus all along—in all of the events of daily life. God with them in times of celebration. God with them along the dusty road. God breaking bread with them day after day. God strengthening and guiding. Always present.

I don’t think that’s really how it happened.

But it is possible to recognize God’s presence without a transfiguration experience. It is possible to become aware of God’s wondrous glory and love close enough to touch in your own life without the sort of dazzling encounter described in this story. God is present, close and constant. We can recognize that presence even without The Transfiguration.

Sometimes that recognition is triggered by the voice of someone else, someone pointing out God’s presence with you. Someone else can help you see, help you recognize God with you in your life.

We had a vestry retreat yesterday. One of the questions I asked the vestry to reflect upon before the retreat was: Who first told you about God? Who first told you that God loved you and was present with you? Whether or not you can remember the occasion, it had to be someone. Probably a host of people over the years. Who first told you that God was with you?

In today’s epistle, Paul speaks of being that voice for others. Paul proclaims “the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” This is the reality of the Gospel; God’s gift. But some people do not recognize the glory of Christ who is the image of God because their sight is veiled by their devotion to the gods of this world. Christians can help lift that veil, help others see beyond the veil to the presence of Christ. The glorious presence of Christ is there with you. These other gods will deceive and abandon you, but the presence of God in Christ is always with you. Look.

You might be the person to lead someone else to the recognition that God is present with them. You might be the voice that makes them aware that God loves them.

If you are thinking that you can’t bring recognition to someone else when you yourself are not always 100% confident that God is with you, put that thought away.

You should be aware that preachers do not always preach from a position of absolutely authority or confidence. We preach messages that we need to hear. And in the process of preaching, we hear them. The process of preaching is transforming. And anyone who teaches will tell you that the best way to learn something is to teach it. The process of teaching brings knowledge. In the act of teaching, you learn. And, trust me, as you assure someone else that God is present with her, you will become more and more aware of God’s presence with you. As you urge someone else to recognize God’s love for him, you will grow in your recognition of God’s love for you.

God is present with you. Glorious, wondrous, constant. Face to face, right there close enough to touch. Remember, you might be the person to help someone else recognize that God is present with them. And it doesn’t take a mountain top or dazzling lights. Maybe just a word.