The Feast of the Transfiguration

…and other confusing parts of the Bible

MORNING
Psalm 2, 24 • Exodus 24: 12-18 • 2 Corinthians 4: 1-6

EVENING
Psalm 72 • Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14 • John 12: 27-36a

Surprisingly, on this, the Feast of the Transfiguration, none of the assigned readings from the Daily Office lectionary are about that actual event. That is probably for the best, since the Transfiguration is utterly confusing for me; I have a hard time grasping what it is and why the early authors of our scripture chose to include this story. The offered readings for today feel similarly distant and strange to me—descriptions of God as the white-haired man in the sky in Daniel, and Moses going up to the mountaintop covered in a strange cloud in Exodus. 

I have been listening to a new book, The Power of Ritual by Casper Ter Kyle. In it, the author seeks to understand and reframe how current generations are making meaning in their lives when institutions and systems (perceived as out-of-touch and sometimes oppressive) are no longer offering what people “need” today. 

In The Power of Ritual, Ter Kyle asks, how can we look back at ancient ways of making meaning and apply them in new ways? How can we compost those traditions that seem stale and create something that speaks to our need for belonging today? How do stories about seeking God from long ago teach me to seek God today in my own life? 

In Corinthians, Paul says, “Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart.” Part of that mercy, for me, is knowing that there is space in God for my frustration and weariness with old and tired institutions. I hear Paul calling all of us to live out our ministries (in and outside the church) authentically. And that authenticity is only reached by understanding that even when we cannot “get” the full picture (much like Peter, James, and John on that mountaintop), there are ancient and true things at work still. 

I may not always be able to hear what God is saying, but I think we are still called to try and listen. If we cannot be honest about feeling burdened by tradition or old structures, then we cannot be honest about our gospel witness either. Only when we are willing to lean into the messiness that is composting old things, can new life begin to grow. 

Written by Emma Mitchell

When not serving the youth and families at St. Paul’s as the Youth Director, Emma enjoys a good craft project, a thrifting adventure, and hanging out with her husband Dave and small menagerie of animals.