Lent 2024 Week Two: A Glimpse of Home (Mk 9: 2-10)

At the end of 2022 it all caught up to me. I had been living, working and serving the Lord in all of the usual ways, but quietly I had turned into a shadow of my former self. Gone was the energy. Gone was the purpose. Gone was that sense of commitment and excitement. I had become something I was not, following a few “almost truths” that were supposed to help me feel better about my brokenness. This was an easier version of the calling that was originally given to me, for way back when, at the beginning of my journey, I met the true God, and was humbled and blessed to see his vivid image and hear his crystal clear voice. But as I took on the task of becoming and being the disciple I was called to be, I also began to negotiate that my will be done instead of “Thy will be done…” Kate Bowler, in her article entitled “Idolatry Is the Most Seductive Sin” (2/14/22) illustrates what I would call the result of giving in to a temptation that subtly feels like a positive movement in personal goal-setting, or life-planning or even business management. That temptation is this: It is easier to pursue a version of some thing rather than pursue the real thing.

Mark’s Gospel witnesses a time when the Apostles Peter, James and John traveled with Jesus up the mountain. Suddenly the Lord was shown to them in dazzling bright white, transfigured in the sky conversing with Moses and Elijah. Peter replied in that moment stating that “it is good that we are here,” (Mark 9:5) followed by the suggestion to pitch tents for the three transfigured before them. One could assume that the Apostles felt that they had reached the culmination of their purpose and their journey was over. I can’t help but wonder if James and John might have added, “Well that was easier than I thought… Yes… Let’s stay here! We have reached the mountaintop.

Can you identify a time when you accepted an “easier version” of what you were called to do, or an “Almost Truth” that you might have latched on to, and celebrated as the culmination of your journey?

But soon after the amazing appearance of our Lord had reached their eyes and hearts, the clouds rolled in and overshadowed the Apostles, and the voice of God came from the clouds and said, “This is my beloved son. Listen to him…” (Mark 9:7) That’s when the “real thing” began to be revealed. Jesus invited them to come back down the mountain and “charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” (Mark 9:8) This was a much more difficult request of them. First of all, their “easier” idea was rejected. They would not be staying with the Lord, Moses and Elijah on the mountain. Instead, they were given a glimpse of things to come, but asked to follow their Lord back into the mission of proclaiming that the reign of God was at hand! They had to experience more of the journey and embrace the Lord’s will, not their own!

Describe the glimpse(s) you’ve been given of the “Good News” of your own salvation?
How have you been called to be patient in your journey to get there?

A Song From My Younger Days...

A Glimpse of Home by Kansas

When I was very young so many songs were sung
So much wasted time on an uphill climb
But you where always there, a feeling in the air
There was nothing to fear you were so near
Now you are here once again

As I stand in your presence
I can feel the quiet patience of your gaze
Like an old superstition
You are haunting all my dreams and waking days
All my life I knew you were waiting, revelation anticipating
All is well, the searching is over, let the truth be known... Let it be shown

There's no resisting you among the chosen few
It's hard to be sure, it's hard to endure
And when I hear your voice
I know I have the choice
To pursue an ideal, something so real
Now I've got nothing to lose

As I see your reflection
All the answers I desire become so clear
Like a page that is turning
I can look into the future without fear

All my life I knew you were waiting, revelation anticipating
All is well, the searching is over, let the truth be known... Let it be shown

You're in my rock and roll, you're in my very soul
Though it's heavy to bear, it's a feeling so rare
And it's a mystery, the way it's meant to be
Can we ever know, we're moving so slow
There ain't enough time in the world

As I reach up the ladder

There is something ever higher to perceive
Like a fire that is burning
In my heart I know I surely must believe

All my life I knew you were waiting, revelation anticipating
All is well, the searching is over, let the truth be known... 

Let it be shown, please give me a glimpse of home!