February 22, 2009
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Sermon: "I Want a Double Portion" Looking ahead: Ash Wednesday |
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9
The scriptures for Transfiguration Sunday invite us into a world of wonders in which we can experience divine light shining in and through all things. Today is a day for mystics—and for mystics to be—and for those who believe in miracles. While some use the word “supernatural” to describe the miraculous, in my understanding of miracles, grounded in the insights of process theology, there is no dualism of God and the world, sacred and secular, or divine causality and natural causality in these scriptures. Rather, the whole earth is full of God’s glory for those with eyes to see. Life-transforming power is ours when we awaken to what is, God’s gift of possibilities and the divine energy actively present to help us actualize these possibilities within each emerging moment of experience.
We don’t need to worry about the technology or the metaphysics of ascension or transfiguration, nor do we need to worry about their factuality. These are “modern” questions, grounded in one-dimensional, closed-system thinking of both fundamentalists and rationalists. What is at work here are God’s deeper mysteries; the deeper meaning and reality of events in a multi-dimensional universe. In a universe with forty billion galaxies, each of which may have a billion or more solar systems like our own, there is no need to be humble in our imagination. We can “think big” and know that divine presence, power, and possibility is “more than we can ask or imagine.”
The story of Elijah’s ascension to heaven stretches our imagination nowadays, just as it did to those who first told, and heard, the story. While Elijah’s ascension is worthy of note, what is most important for us in reading the story today involves 1) the relationship between fidelity and spiritual vitality and 2) the importance of asking for a blessing. Despite his injunction to stay behind, Elisha—like Ruth—does not abandon his teacher and mentor. Elisha will stay with the aging spiritual leader wherever the journey takes them, even into the realm of the mystic. Elisha is rewarded with the gift of spiritual vitality. But, his gift of spiritual vitality, “the spirit of Elijah,” is not accidental; Elisha stays near his teacher and when he is asked what he wants, he requests the biggest possible blessing, a “double portion” of Elijah’s power. God’s granting of his heart’s desire finds its basis in his willingness to faithful, regardless of the cost. “I will not leave you” is the open door to unexpected divine blessing for ourselves and others.
The pastor might ask his parishioners to ponder their heart’s desire, open their desire to God, and ask God to refine and bless their deepest desire to the well-being of our neighbors and the world. One of our greatest challenges is that we are so busy about our occupations that we neglect to take account of our deepest, God-inspired longings.
God’s vision within each moment of experience as well as our personal horizons contains within it a “double portion” of possibility as well as the divine energy to help us live out God’s and dreams for our lives.
Today’s passage from 2 Kings challenges us to “think big” and, then, ask to receive our heart’s desire. This is not a simplistic “prosperity gospel” or “name it or claim it” but a accepting and, then, claiming of our role as partners in God’s vision for our lives and our planet. Our heart’s desire is precisely what God desires to give us; it is God’s vision or aim for our lives, actualized moment by moment and day by day over a lifetime. While some Pentecostals claim too much for themselves and from God, we are often guilty of expecting too little from God and from ourselves. When we prayerfully open to God’s abundant life, miracles, or life changing acts of divine power and partnership, emerge in our lives. What “miracles” are on the horizon for you personally and for your congregation? What would it take to receive God’s blessing for your congregation’s heart’s desire and mission?
Psalm 50 invites us to visualize the grandeur of God and the wonder of creation. The ultimate environment of our lives is cosmic in scale; we are not just the children of stardust, but we are also the children of God, beloved and full of wonder.
2 Corinthians challenges us to see God’s light, the light of Christ, shining through all things. Veiled from the world’s ways, the light of Christ – and the power of God – bursts forth for those who believe in God’s presence and, then, act on their beliefs. Paul asks his hearers to experience the world as full of light and wonder and suggests that while wonder is built into the universe, we awaken to it by fixing our gaze on God. Damascus Road experiences may happen unexpectedly and unbidden; but more often “the mysticism of the everyday” is the result of intentional practices of prayer, meditation, and mission.
The transfiguration reminds us that Jesus is always more than meets the eye. As God’s beloved child, he radiates the light of creation. But, transfiguration challenges us to remember that we can see more than meets the eye. We can receive divine vision, opening us to the holiness of ourselves, others, and all creation.
Annie Dillard speaks of the tree with lights. Have you seen it? Walking along, you are transfixed by dazzling light shining through the leaves of a tree or stars silhouetted through bare branches. We are transfigured!
Today’s preachers call us to personal, vocational, congregational, and global transfiguration. It all begins with vision and the fidelity to stay with the vision we’ve received. We are the children of quantum energy, of mind-body medicine, and non-local causation. We glimpse wonder in images from the Hubble telescope. Let us see with new eyes and embrace a larger vision; let us go beyond the ecstasy deprivation that leads to consumerism and war-making.
Enlivened by divine light shining in every soul and every soul, we can aspire to live by the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Earth’s crammed with heaven
and every common bush
afire with God;
And only he who sees,
takes off his shoes –
The rest sit round it
and pluck blackberries.
Today would be a great day for pictures of the heavens above, the heavens within, and the heavens in every creature’s face. Let photographs, paintings, music, song, and dance abound awakening us to a transfigured world and a transfigured church!
Bruce Epperly is professor of practical theology and director of Continuing Education at Lancaster Theological Seminary and co-pastor of Disciples United Community Church. He is the author of fifteen books, including the recently-published Holy Adventure: Forty-one Days of Audacious Living (Upper Room), a progressive Christian response to the Purpose Driven Life; The Four Seasons of Ministry: Gathering a Harvest of Righteousness (Alban) and Feed the Fire: Avoiding Clergy Burnout (Pilgrim).
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