Mountains of Faith - Mark 9 - Transfiguration - Year B

Mountains of Faith

Tony E Dillon Hansen

Transfiguration Sunday (Year B)

Reflection based upon Mark 9: 2-9, Psalm 50, 

Opening prayer

I could tell you about the first time I was in the Rocky Mountains. The first time seeing snow caps in the distance, and once when we got to the mountains, how Montana revealed sheer sizes where giant trees on the mountain sides would look puny from high up.

I could tell you about how one could reach up and touch the clouds in “Big Sky Country.”

I could tell you about the time I drove out to Colorado Springs and how I witnessed the city, at the base of Pike’s Peak, was dwarfed by the massive wall of rock.

I could tell you about the beautiful vistas around Albuquerque and central New Mexico.

Beloved, there is something majestic, for sure, about seeing mountains and being around them. There is something sacred.

I could also tell you about seeing mountain sides that were made bare from mining. What was once beautiful and majestic, now bears the stain of industry.

I could tell you any one of these, and I wouldn’t do proper justice because one should truly witness these instead of hearing my little words about them.  In these, however the witness of these tells you about how God shows up in the sacred masterpieces - even the mined areas.

That must be what happened to the disciples here. They witnessed something majestic, awe -inspiring, and simply magical.

Thing is that we don’t need to travel to mountains to witness something majestic, awe -inspiring, and simply magical. They witnessed something similar to what John the Baptist witnessed at the Jordan.

God reveals. God shows up and says “this is my Beloved.”

While mountains can help to set a stage, we have opportunities every time we witness a baptism. In fact, we have opportunities here and now. That is every moment of our lives, we have opportunities.

I was talking with a fellow bicycle rider, and we came to an agreement that on the trails, we get to see so much of nature. We get to see bald eagles spread their wings. We get to see riders help each other with a flat tire. We get to see things that when we are driving, we cannot see or, instead, simply ignore. 

That is one of the reasons why Urban Bicycle Food Ministry (UBFM) works so well . We can take our bicycles into areas that cars cannot go. We can reach the tent areas, the makeshift cardboard homes, and the many places where people have been forgotten and ignored. And you know what, with the homeless, we will find God. We call them “God moments.”

God happens in majestic places, in baptism, in the Eucharist and also in dirty places, next to dumpsters and among the forgotten. So if you are wondering where God is in your life, take a moment and breathe.  Chances are God wants to reveal something to you.

God happens right near you. In fact, I submit that God is around you and with you. 

Recall the opening words of Jesus’ ministry, “the [realm] of God is near” to remind us that God is always “near” us. We can reach out with our arms, or if you like better, we can reach out with our hopes, our faith. We can reach out and discover God.

Beloved, when you take time, when you open your heart, open your mind, open your ears, open your eyes, reach out with your faith and let God. You too can find God is with you, revealing to you, and listening to you.

Reach out with your compassion to those who are struggling, the homeless, the disabled, the rejected, the excluded, the prisoner, the cast out for being queer, the black, the indigenous, or the migrant seeking a better life. Reach out with your heart to the mom, the child that needs additional mentoring, the health worker who just worked a long 12 hour shift, the teacher helping youth learn, and the police officer trying to do the right thing. Yes, help them discover God is near too. 

Remember they too are God’s children like you. They too were made in the image of God.

When you do, you will understand why we call these “God moments” as well.

So yes, I could tell you about those Wonderfull places of majesty, but I would like for us to witness God right here. Witness God with you this day and this hour. Walk with faith and let God reveal to you .

Let the “heavens declare God’s righteousness” to you. Witness the “perfection of beauty” that shines forth.

Put the complaints aside. Put away the angers, the fears, the accusations, and the torments for God alone is the judge. Let your faith work. Let your faith grow into mountains. Let your love grow! Let your hope reach to God and to reach out to your neighbors.

That Beloved is… 

Thanks be to God.