Up on the Mountain

Up on the Mountain
Mark 9:2-9
The Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. It is a season for self-examination, reflection, and renewal. It is a season when a number of people “give up” something. Some people make changes in their normal routines which may include a change in eating habits. I have heard people say that they are giving up desserts or chocolate for Lent. There is a tradition that some Christians eat fish instead of other meats during the Lenten season. Of course, the main thing is not what someone may give up, but the main thing is that is involves self-denial that can lead to discipline and character development.
In the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus there are several postures that can also help with discipline and character during Lent and indeed throughout the year. The postures that can be found in the story include retreating, watching, listening, and serving.
The story starts with a retreat. Jesus and his disciples get away from the crowds and go up on a mountain to pray. They get away from their normal routines, and change their focus. That is what a retreat does for someone. It gets you away from the pressures, expectations, and distractions of everyday life and can give relief, rest, and a new perspective. It doesn’t have to be a long time. A retreat can last a few minutes, a few hours, or a few days.
Jesus went up on a mountain with his disciples to get away from it all and to get away to God, to pray. It is fair to say that from time to time, we need retreat and get away from our daily routines and focus upon God. The key is to get away, to retreat.
The Transfiguration story continues with the disciples watching. They were up on the mountain and they saw something extraordinary. Right before their very eyes, Jesus was changed. He was transfigured. His clothes became dazzling white. And then they saw Moses and Elijah, two of the great leaders of the Old Testament. They were amazed and inspired.
One of the advantages of a retreat is that we may have to opportunity to see things, and have experiences that we might miss in our daily routines. There is much that goes on around us and within us that we fail to notice because sometimes we are too busy and at other times, we are not paying attention. That reminds us of one of the advantages of a retreat: we may be more alert. If we will take time to watch and pay attention, we may have great visions and dream great dreams.
The Transfiguration story continues with a challenge to the disciples to listen. After seeing the great vision, Peter, the vocal disciple, says that they should build three shrines –one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. But God’s voice comes from heaven and says, “This is my Son, listen to him.” Peter and the others are thinking about a project, but God challenges them to focus upon Jesus, rather than a building project. The disciples are told to listen.
There are always good things that can be done, but this story reminds us that sometimes the best thing to do is to listen for God. We can listen for the sound of God’s Spirit in the wind and the rain. We may hear God’s voice in the voice of a family member, or a friend. We may hear the sound of God at work in the ebb and flow of our everyday lives. We may be tempted to explain, to understand, to control and to act, but God invites us to listen, to wonder, to dream, and to be. There is plenty of time for acting and doing, but the story reminds us that there is also a time to listen.
The Transfiguration story doesn’t end on the mountain. Jesus and his disciples head back down the mountain. The retreat is over, but the effects are not. They return to their routines and their work, but they are not the same people. They have been challenged and inspired to be God’s servants and to continue their work in His name.
We are not invited to get away and to stay away. We are invited to retreat so that we may be renewed and strengthened, then we will be able to return to our routines with a new sense of mission and purpose. Then whatever we do can arise out of who we are and who has called us. We are able to give and serve because Jesus came as a servant and gave His life for us.
The Transfiguration story includes these challenges: Take time to retreat, to get away from your normal routine, and to get away to God. Watch and look, and see God at work in the world. Listen and hear the sound of God’s voice calling you to have faith. Give and serve, because God has given everything for us and calls us to serve others in His name.