MARCH 17TH, 2019: SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18
Philippians 3:17 – 4:1
Luke 9:28b-36
How long can an insight last? All of us have a sudden flash of knowledge that we don’t reason to but is suddenly there. One I distinctly remember occurred in the middle of a sophomore study hall almost 65 years ago. I’d always studied, even did all my homework. But I did these things just to get good grades. Then out of nowhere came the conviction that there’s something valuable in study itself, even if I never took another exam. That thought only lasted a split second, but it’s been guiding me all my life.
I bring up insights today because most Scripture scholars believe we’re dealing with an insight when we hear the gospel accounts of Jesus’ transfiguration. The narrative contains the classic trademarks of a biblical myth. For instance, it’s chuck full of biblical symbolism: the cloud, the voice, and the unique participants. Notice also that the name of the mountain isn’t mentioned; we can’t track down the geographic place. These elements – and others - seem to imply that the story is rooted in an insight many of Jesus’ followers experienced in their encounters with him. This particular itinerant preacher was unlike anyone they’d ever chanced upon.
In their minds Yahweh not only sent and confirmed this Galilean carpenter, but to follow his teachings and example placed one squarely in the middle of the teachings and example of the Hebrew Scriptures. The special person the Chosen People had anticipated since the days of the Exodus is in their midst right here and now. No matter how one put that insightful experience into words, their biblical attempts tell us some of Jesus’ few followers at least had a hint Jesus of Nazareth was the one.
Yet it’s clear from today’s second reading that no matter how intense the original insight, for some Christians that “illumination” eventually faded away. Due to Paul’s reference to “their stomach,” scholars believe the fallen-away Philippians to whom he refers could be within the community’s Christian Jews who have returned to keeping Judaism’s dietary regulations. Instead of giving themselves over to the ever-changing risen Jesus, they feel more secure in giving themselves over to a set of never changing concrete laws.
Our Jewish faith ancestors no doubt had parallel insights revolving around Yahweh at work in their daily lives. The historical Jesus certainly did. Today’s Genesis pericope reminds us they locked some of those insights into a covenant with Yahweh. When they’d gather to renew that agreement – as they did yearly during Passover - they’d recall those special moments. In the world before photographs and tape recorders, remembering them would be the only way to make them live again. In the case of the Passover, they would especially recall the moment when they realized for the first time that Yahweh, not a set of accidental circumstances, was freeing them from slavery.
Based on his Jewish heritage, Jesus also weaved his community’s insights into a covenant, an action especially to be remembered in their celebrations of the Eucharist. But as Paul warned the Philippians, unless people imitated him, they could fall into the same trap as those whose glory became their shame. We know from his letters, imitating Paul revolves around learning how to die and rise with Jesus.
From I Corinthians 11, there’s no doubt in the Apostle’s mind that the best place to experience that dying for others is in the community’s celebrations of the Lord’s Supper. If the celebration is done correctly – and we actually give ourselves to and for one another – there’s a great chance many of us will have frequent insights about the presence of the risen Jesus among us.
Afraid there just aren’t any lasting insights that come from mouthing empty rituals.
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