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110306 - Yr A - Transfiguration
Transfiguration Sunday
Transfiguration draws the Epiphany season to a close. This Sunday we finally get the full display of what the coming of the light of the world looks like!
Verses
17:1 - six days later than what?
17:2 - dazzling white is a symbol of transcendence - an aura of brightness is associated with mystical experiences
17:3 - in Jewish tradition both Moses and Elijah were taken to heaven without dying
17:4 - dwellings = booths (tabernacles) - a major Jewish festival commemorating the dwellings the desert wanderers lived in and how God protected them
17:5 - God is often associated with a cloud - Peter is interrupted mid-speech by God.
17:6 - I usually insist that we read "awe" whenever the bible says "fear", but this time I think it really is fear!
17:7 - Jesus' touch is healing - "do not be afraid" is a frequent refrain in the bible
Thoughts
- What does the word "transfiguration" mean to you?
Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets.
- Why is this significant? (especially for Matthew's gospel)
- Why did Peter want to build dwellings there?
Compare Matthew 17:5 to Matthew 3:17
- What is similar? Different? What do you think this means?
- Which do you think is more significant, seeing (v.2) or listening (v.5)?
After 6 days
- Moses on Sinai? (Ex 24:15-18)
- A sabbath allusion?
- In what ways is Jesus the new Moses?
- And how is Jesus' Way the new Exodus?
Parallels
- Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36 - Compare
So, if in verse 8 the disciples look up and see only Jesus...
- What has really changed?
The Mountain
Notice how many times God encounters happen on mountain tops.
- Why do we associate mountain tops with God?
- How have your mountain top experiences changed (transformed/transfigured) you?
Down the Mountain
- Why do you think Jesus ordered the disciples to silence (Mt 17:9)?
- When they come down the mountain, how will their journey be different now?
- How does this relate to your spiritual journey?
Epiphany is the season of revelation.
- We have seen Jesus revealed, now what?
- What is there for us to do with what we have seen and heard?
Shalom!
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There is an axiom accepted by most adult educators that in order to teach an adult something new, you have to present it at least seven times, in seven different ways. I would suggest that Matthew 17:5 and Matthew 3:17 are examples of this teaching method. I suspect strongly that there are at least five more incidences of the same message being presented in different ways that may not have made it into the final copy of the gospels! I've noticed that he disciples were not exactly quick on the uptake.
And to tell them not to talk is an invitation to talk. What a great, somewhat subversive way to get your message across? I've got a secret and I'll never tell, he told me to keep it to myself......