[Mcgregorpage] McGregorPage #594, Epiphany 4, 2/3/08

[rmcgregoralbq at aol.com]

Epiphany 4 – February 3, 2008

Psalm 99
Exodus 24:12-18
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9

Glory Gleams, Witnesses Worship

Find the glory, and you will find the worshiper.  You will find Stephen Hawking at worship where black holes congregate drawing all the matter in the universe down to a mass the size of a BB just before it explodes in blinding light -- the universe transfigured.  We are in awe of such a vision.  All other events pale by comparison.  Everything is relativized.  We are transcended by it, swallowed by its light.  We worship not by intention but by reflex.  We worship and are energized by the experience  -- elevated.

Moses was so swallowed by the light that he glowed.  On a visit to Salt Lake City, to the Temple visitor’s center, I made a disparaging remark about the theology of the Latter Day Saints to a Catholic Priest beside me. He said in response, "The glow of the Spirit on our guide's face was undeniable."  I was forced to think again. Theology is set aside by God's glory, a light so brilliant that one cannot make out the words, not even brilliant words.  What Moses encountered was light.  What he conveyed was law.  What the three disciples encountered was light.  What they conveyed was faith.  What both Moses and the Disciples experienced was profound worship, where one says, "The LORD is king; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!"  (Psalm 99:1)  

The glory revealed in Jesus elicited the faith, not the fear, of those who beheld it.  It was a manifestation of God's Glory that freed people to look, to look without having the burnt glass of theology and doctrine held before their eyes.  This light that we see, this glory, exists in the midst of darkness.  It was a bitter march to Mount Sinai, and it was a frustrating sight that greeted Moses when he first descended mount Sinai.  It was a stern lecture about Jesus' death that accompanied the walk down the Mount of Transfiguration, and a frustrating scene that greeted Jesus when he descended.  "The light shines in the darkness," as the Gospel of John says.  Darkness is all about.  That is what makes the Glory of God so bright.  "And the darkness has not overcome it."  For all of God's glory, for all the mountaintop experiences, it is not obvious that darkness will be overcome, not in your life, not in mine, not in anyone's.

In the United Methodist ritual for Baptism there is this question:  "Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness?" Too often this question is left out by the presiding pastors.  Why?  Is it to maintain our Disney World view of life?  Satan is just a guy from central casting, dressed up to do a period piece -- really "just folks" once you get to know him.  The day will end as it always does with Tinkerbell lifted up in a display of fireworks.  No!  The darkness is real and stark.  John is making a profound faith statement when he proclaims: "And the darkness has not overcome it."   What do Jesus, Moses and Elijah talk about in the light, after all?  The darkness!  Jesus' impending death.

God's Glory has two functions, to scatter the darkness and to open the eyes of mortals.  The characters in the light shows above came down from the mountain -- and came down right soon.  It is the mission of light to confront darkness.  Moses had to come down and impart the law.  Jesus and the disciples had to come down and confront unfaith with all the human maladies that follow it.  In each case, when they set foot on level ground, one could feel the earth shake just a little.  It is not Peter’s preaching but the light and weight of revelation in his preaching that makes his words momentous, “For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (1 Peter 1:16)  Let it be that way when you step into the pulpit.  Let it be that way when your congregation steps out the door.

May these thoughts strengthen you. 
 
An Open Letter to Fellow Pastors 
>From Roland McGregor, United Methodist Pastor 
(an e-mail service) 
 
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