Exodus 24:12-18
The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there. I will give you tablets of stone, the law and commandment, which I have written for my people’s instruction." So Moses along with his assistant Joshua went up into the mountain.
Matthew 17:1-9
Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up a high mountain.
Dr. Suess(born 110 years ago today).
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
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Yes, it’s true. Today is Dr. Suess’ birthday and since it may not fall on a Sunday again for a while, I’m taking advantage this morning. It seems to me Dr. Suess’ birthday is a good day for imagination.
So I invite you to climb a mountain that isn’t here or there. Can you see it?
Good. I thought you would.
And now with the cat out of the bag and into your hat—just like that with the cat in the hat—we’re off with a cough in a zunker-doff to the top of that mountain.
Take a look. You might see a snook, or a book, or a shepherd’s crook on top of this mountain to which we’ve come.
We won’t stay long. We’ll strike a gong, sing a song and skip along for it’s Dr. Suess’ birthday and who knows what Horton or we might hear up here: a WHO, a WHAT, a WHY?
Or, maybe just a voice saying, you are my beloved.
Who?
You.
What?
Beloved.
Why?
We’ll get back to that but first let’s get back to the gospel lesson.
Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them along up a high mountain. And there Jesus was transfigured, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.
Which, by the way, sounds a lot like the story of Moses shimmering like the sun on Mt Sinai. And speaking of Moses…
Suddenly Moses and Elijah stood there on the mountain talking with Jesus.
Which means, I suppose, there really are “wrinkles in time.”
Once upon a time, a long, long, long time ago, when Moses couldn’t see how to answer the cries of his people, he trekked up a mountain, above the noise of their squawking demands, took a deep breath and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
I am your God. Listen and you and your people will find the way to life and freedom.
Moses listened and wisdom filled his heart.
Are you listening?
Once upon a time, Moses stood upon a mountaintop with Jesus. Elijah was there too—yet another “wrinkle in time.”
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, when Elijah was scared to death, running for his life from a tyrant, he ran up a mountain, curled up in a cave and waited for God to save him.
Elijah waited.
A mighty wind roared round the mountain. But God was not in the wind.
Elijah waited.
The mountain shook, twisted and heaved, sending boulders screaming down the mountainside. But God was not in the earthquake.
Elijah waited.
The mountain caught fire. Trees and rocks exploded. But God was not in the fire.
Elijah waited—above the noise. And then he heard a still, small voice.
Elijah listened and courage filled his heart.
Are you listening?
Once upon a time, long ago, when Jesus saw a cross looming on the horizon and felt death breathing ice down his neck, he trekked to the top of a mountain, not certain who he was or where he belonged. He took his companions with him.
And there he was transfigured, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.Suddenly Moses and Elijah stood there talking with Jesus.
You know, conversing the way we converse with Moses, Elijah and Jesus through Scripture, Word and Spirit, week after week. After all, Moses, Elijah and Jesus—in our tradition—are the icons of the law, the prophets and the gospels, or we might say, of wisdom, courage and love. Week after week we are transfigured and transformed by our conversation with wisdom, courage and love even as we speak, even as we listen to the Word, the Spirit and each other. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Then Peter said, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I can make three shrines right here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
In other words, let’s stay above the noise of the world and leave it behind forever.
Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice, "This is my Beloved; with whom I am well pleased; listen to him!"
Are you listening?
When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground, overcome by fear. Jesus came and touched them, "Get up and do not be afraid."
Did you hear that?
He touched them and said: "Get up and do not be afraid.” And just like that Jesus led them down the mountain and back into the world where people cry out for bread, healing, mercy and peace.
I don’t know exactly what you are facing these days. I don’t know what fear has knocked you to the ground. I know some of you are facing hard times, dark and even grim situations. Some are facing death, your own or someone you love. May you be blessed with wisdom, courage and love today and in the days to come.
Whatever situation you are in, whatever fears haunt you, however you have come to this moment, this morning you are invited to get above the noise buzzing in and around your head, to get above the noise and stand for a while on a mountain—real or imaginary—where the air is clean and the view clear, to get above the roar and the racket and listen to the only voice that matters: You are my Beloved. In life and death you belong to me. Get up. Do not be afraid. I am with you.
For the next few moments, let’s gather upon this imaginary mountain and listen. Let’s enter this “cloud of unknowing” with a prayer I am teaching our confirmation students this year.
It’s this: Breathe in, hold and say. God is love. Breathe out, rest and say, I am love. (3 times)
And now the silence.
[Silence—one minute]
Believe me, I know how tempting it is
to remain inside this blessing,
to linger where everything
is dazzling and clear.
But this blessing is built for leaving.
This blessing is made for coming down the mountain.
[from Dazzling: A Blessing for Transfiguration Sunday, by Jan Richardson]
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HYMN (STF 2128) “Come and Find the Quiet Center”
