“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NRSV)
This upcoming Sunday marks Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday in Epiphany, and the last Sunday before the beginning of the Lenten season. For many of us, these descriptors may mean nothing. For all of us, however, the significance of the event that this Sunday commemorates carries implications for how we act towards, listen to, and observe of others. The Transfiguration of Jesus is the story of Jesus, atop a mountain with three of his disciples, becoming “dazzling white” and the prophets Elijah and Moses appearing next to Christ. After this astounding scene, God spoke, affirming Jesus as the Lord’s beloved son and commanding all to listen to Jesus’s teachings (Mark 9:2-7). The disciples present saw Jesus in a new way. They received instruction on: how to act – in accordance with God’s Word – listen – intentionally and thoughtfully – and observe – to recognize the incredible light given off by another. In a sermon on the Transfiguration that I recently heard preached in Duke Chapel, the priest nuanced the distinction between transformation and transfiguration. Transformation is an internal change; whereas transfiguration is an external change – a change which leads others to perceive the transfigured differently, typically in a more beautiful state. What would our communities look like if we observed others with a mindset of transfiguration? While the Transfiguration of Christ yields religious significance for Christians, for both Christians and non-Christians alike, it also offers all of us a message on how to live truly seeing the lights that all of us have within. The Transfiguration encourages us to critically assess how we perceive others. Perhaps we must undergo internal transformation in order to witness others become transfigured, which then enables the flourishing of humanity. Thus, as we prepare to enter this Lenten season of contemplation, let us consider not only how we can shine – acting, listening, and observing – like the disciples who witnessed Christ upon the mountaintop but also how we can transfigure our own lives to see the dazzling lights of others. |