Have you ever been to a service or concert in a church in the evening? Did you notice the way the light changes in the stained glass windows? At first, the light of the sun shines through the windows into the church. But as the sun sets, the windows slowly go dark. Of course, they haven't really gone dark - they're just shining the other way now. You can still see the beauty of the colors and images, you just have to go outside to see it.
In today's readings, we have two different stories about shining faces and transformative mountaintop experiences. In the Gospel, we read the story of Christ's Transfiguration. The disciples see Jesus' face and clothing shining and Peter is so overwhelmed that he can only say something ridiculous (Peter should serve as a reminder to us that sometimes the best thing to say is absolutely nothing).
In the Old Testament reading, Moses spends time in the presence of God on the mountain and returns to the Israelites with a shining face, and they don't seem to fare much better than Peter.
Encountering the light of God transforms us. Maybe you've never left church with your face literally shining, but I hope at some point you have encountered God in a way that has changed you.
Which brings me back to the stained glass windows - the sun shines in during the day and our light shines out at night. May the Light of the Son shine into you, so that when the darkness comes, you can shine out to the world. Amen.
Closing hymn: Christ is the World's True Light (Tune: St. Joan) #542
1. Christ is the world’s true light,
Its Captain of salvation,
The Day-star clear and bright
Of every race and nation;
New life, new hope awakes,
For all who own his sway;
Freedom her bondage breaks,
And night is turned to day.
2. In Christ all races meet,
Their ancient feuds forgetting,
The whole round world complete,
From sunrise to its setting:
When Christ is throned as Lord,
Men shall forsake their fear,
To ploughshare bear the sword,
To pruning-hook the spear.
3. One Lord, in one great Name
Unite us all who own thee;
Cast out our pride and shame
That hinder to enthrone thee;
The world has waited long,
Has travailed long in pain;
To heal its ancient wrong,
Come, Prince of Peace, and reign.
(Words: George Wallace Briggs)
No comments:
Post a Comment