Walking along the path, flowers sprinkled among the greenery on either side bring both brightness and variation to the scene. In the middle, one flower leans toward another as if reaching out to the one looking down at petals lost. Holding on, seeking comfort, seeking peace; providing both to those walking through or passing by.
Stories, so many stories, in the present and in the past. Living, breathing stories, held by many hearts. And then there’s Peace, held within those many stories, seeking hearts to hold them well, souls to glean their wisdom, and bodies with the mind to march peace forward.
Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. – Colossians 3:15a, 16a
Sitting with the readings for the second Sunday of Lent, like an old friend, the word “Trust” enters the room with a warm smile and as if to say, “Remember me… remember when…” So much of life is about trust and so often, it seems to come down to whom or what one trusts, to what degree, how that trust is received, and the impact or consequences of its handling.
As human beings, we share in a perfectly, imperfect nature, as we navigate life in, and surrounded by, a competitive, material world. It can be tempting to think or feel, even if subconsciously, that there is something we can do about anything happening around us at any time; that a level of control is always within our grasp. We may even look to capture the things that we, as human beings, think will help us to have that control. Yet, the only control we ever really have, and the only victory ever really won, is in choices that we make to trust in God’s ways and to let go, or shed the impulse or notion that any one interest outranks everyone’s interest.
In the ninth chapter of the Gospel according to Luke, Peter, John, and James ascend the mountain with Jesus and share in the experience of his transfiguration. In the passage prior to this one, while explaining what it means to be a disciple, Jesus says, “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?” (Lk 9:25). Looking at the circumstances in the world today, one can clearly see that there is no profit in profiteering, only loss for everyone.
Think about what it must have been like for Peter, John, and James to hear Jesus’ words about discipleship and then to witness his transfiguration seeing him stand alongside the prophets, Moses and Elijah.
Looking to today’s world, when it seems there is nothing to do, or there is no good way to stop what is already in motion, perhaps the best place to start is to forget control, then pause to go back and remember the beginning. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to pray. One can only wonder, what was in their hearts as they placed their trust in Jesus and followed him up that mountain. One can only wonder how they received what happened and what they carried in their hearts on the way down, and thereafter.
How does your trust in Jesus shape your choices, create unity, express love, and spread goodwill? Connecting with Jesus as an old friend greeting you with a warm smile, how would you proceed from the phrase, “Remember me… remember when…?”
Share with Jesus what you carry in your heart as you reflect on the world we live in, and the journey you are on within it.
Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen. – Lk 9:28b-36
One evening, a long time ago, as a teenager, I was travelling by car with a few friends, when the driver had to jam on the brakes, to avoid an accident. Prior to that moment, there was lots of chatter going on as we drove. However, as the car swerved to stay on the road, narrowly missed a sign that had been to the right of the car, but was now on the left side, and finally screeched to a halt, the noise ceased. In those seconds, it was as if we had shifted into slow motion and were transported into a vacuum, void of all sound. Hearts pounding, we just sat there, recognizing the potential disaster we had escaped. Then, after catching our breaths, we drove on, continuing in silence all the way home. None of us spoke about what had happened.
Throughout life, sometimes events can suddenly thunder into presence of mind, body, and soul. They can do so in such a powerful way that all that is left behind is silence. In chapter 9 of the Gospel according to Mark, the Transfiguration of Jesus is described as both an awesome and frightening experience for the apostles, Peter, James, and John. What transpired, was completely unexpected. In verse 6, Jesus is described as somewhat speechless in terms of how to respond to his companions—“He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.”
Clearly, this event shook the apostles; stopping them in their tracks, and reshaping the manner in which they would receive and respond to what was to come, whether consciously or subconsciously. While it seems fitting that the occurrence would happen on a mountain top, what happened would have been a life altering experience, regardless of where it took place or how it was understood at the time. In the Transfiguration of Jesus, eyes were wide open and seeds were firmly planted.
Oftentimes, the Divine is overlooked, dismissed, forgotten, or left behind simply because it’s easier, more convenient, or perhaps preferred, to believe and hold onto experiences that happen where and how one might expect them to occur. Yet, God is not deterred. On that evening so long ago, I remember being shaken and stirred. I also remember the deafening silence all the way home. And in that, the memory etched… to return, here and there. Only with time, and a lot of it, could I see that God was with us that night.
How patient God is! A reminder of the opportunity that openness to the wisdom of each moment, whether it is here and now, in the past, or yet to come, brings. No matter the locale or the emotions an experience evokes, God is with us, with a desire to take hold, to call us forward, and to help us remember as we do, the wisdom that is all around us.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant. – Mk 9:2-10
In saying goodbye to 2020, it can be all too easy to envision the year packed away, stuffed in a trunk or case with the words “CAUTION! DO NOT OPEN!” stamped in bold, red print across the top and sides. Yet, like all the years before it, 2020, along with any wisdom it contained, is added to the steps along the way. Now, and always, it is part of who we are and who we will become.
Entering into the year 2021, the journey continues. Like years gone by, it is step by step into all that is known and, at the same time, into all that is unknown. This New Year begins with a solemn tone. There is sadness over the depth of loss, vast… across many areas, and experienced by so many around the world. There is gratitude for blessings… Love expressed by thoughtful, caring words and actions of so many hearts around the world. Then, there is hope, summoning its all, rising up from the memories it strings together, and bringing unity as it strengthens and fortifies the soul for all that lies ahead.
May this New Year be anchored, like no other, in the hope that is God, and may each and every soul join together and live as they truly are… beloved.
We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. – Mt 2:2
The other day as I was in the car waiting to pick up one of my children, I was looking toward the top of the school steps as a sea of students flowed out of the building. As I was watching for my child, suddenly there was a knock on the car window. Startled at this unexpected knock, I turned toward the window to see my child’s face. While I was looking in one direction, my son had appeared from another direction. This was something new and completely unanticipated.
When the two disciples on the road to Emmaus encountered Jesus, they had no idea who he was (Luke 24:13-35). They were not expecting him and could not have anticipated that Jesus who had been crucified would appear to them. They were with him for quite some time and it was not until after he broke the bread and said the blessing that they were able to recognize him. It was as if in that moment everything came together and they turned their heads to see what was in front of them as they journeyed.
When they return to Jerusalem to tell the others about Jesus appearing to them, they learn that Jesus has appeared to Peter too. Then as they are recounting what happened to them along the way to Emmaus, Jesus appears again (Luke 24:36-49). Each time Jesus appears, it is unanticipated and unexpected. It is also in response to hearts that are troubled… hearts that are longing… hearts that believe and that are trying to find or to put the pieces back together… striving to continue to live out of a relationship that was, that is, like no other.
In all these cases where Jesus appears, it seems the person(s) to whom he appears is letting their guard down and openly thinking, speaking or trying to understand their experience. They are remembering and recounting what transpired. They are looking at where Jesus was, wondering about what happened and where he is now. They are also watching, waiting, and listening. In doing so, wherever they are, Jesus is suddenly with them and making himself known.
On the road to Emmaus, the two disciples recalled with each step all that transpired. Jesus joined them and their hearts were burning as he helped them to take an intimate look, to remember, and to see, perhaps with new eyes. The Lord also appears to others, including us, helping us to remember or to reclaim and to go forward or to wait… helping us to know more surely, more confidently, who we are and how to be.
As we go through life, God is with us from before our first steps, and all the way through. Sometimes we need to rest, and allow the Lord to help us recount and remember.
Our soul waits for the Lord,
Who is our help and shield.
For in the Lord our hearts rejoice;
In God’s holy name we trust.
May your mercy, Lord, be upon us;
As we put our hope in you. – Psalm 33:20-22
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