The Gospel Reading for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany: Year B
Mark 9:2 to 9
Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves.” (Mark 9: 2)
Peter, James and John are picked to go up the mountain with our Lord Jesus. These three were called out from the others to go to spend a special time with Jesus. I like calling them the executive council. There were other times that these three were called out to be with Jesus.
I’m guessing they were informed about who Moses and Elijah were, given that they both were historic figures and there were no “photographs” of them. This was a revelation given to them by the Cloud of all knowing.
And after the experience of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus, the revealing Cloud of all knowing using the voice of God, and being told who Jesus is, and then Jesus telling them not to tell anyone, was asking a lot. But in hindsight, we can see why these stories were actually written much later and in different languages.
Being told not to talk about something gives one time to process what happened. Today we say that the introvert processes quietly while the extrovert processes by “talking it out.” This might be the reason for taking these three, but then there is Peter. Peter can’t hold back even in the midst of the Transfiguration. “Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified; (Mark 9: 5 and 6).
So Jesus took with him both the extrovert and the introverts. Jesus takes with him both you and me. We are invited to see God Incarnate who is the fulfillment of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). Moses didn’t want to go but was sent anyway. Elijah was all in, even taunting the prophets of Baal, “At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened;” (1 Kings 18:27). Elijah mocked the prophets.
So God calls any of us to do the Lord’s work. Be attentive therefore, Our Lord will call you also to have that mountain top experience. Dr Martin Luther King Jr. says that he experienced it in his kitchen after a hateful phone call. This mountain top experience can happen anywhere. When it happens, it is life changing. The place it happens has nothing to do with the time God chooses. God is everywhere, all the time.
Jesus can be transformed in your presence today, anywhere, and any time of God’s choosing. And may still ask you to not tell anyone about what you have experienced; just live out what has been revealed to you in word and deed.
Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907 to 1972 was internationally known as a scholar, activist, and theologian. He was Professor of Ethics and Mysticism. Heshel says in his book, The Sabbath, that “it is not the event that makes time significant, but rather, the time that makes an event significant, it is the time that an event happens that makes the place significant.” Jesus could have taken these followers out on a boat ride, or in a cave or a barn. He just needed time to be alone with them. Jesus just needs time to be with you today!
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 