Second Sunday of Lent
March 4, 2007


Do you ever want to hold onto a moment – to let it never end? (Or when was the last time you wanted a moment to never end?)

Sometimes they happen in the middle of a wedding reception. Other times they happen during a wonderful conversation with a friend. Or during a moment between lovers. Sometimes it occurs when you are playing the game of your life – in the zone – it matters not the sport. Other times, it occurs during a quiet moment at prayer. Or in the word to a song that is speaking to exactly to what you are going through. And whatever it is about that moment, you know that you don’t want it to end. You want time to stop, and yourself to be suspended forever in that moment of glory or connection or love or wonder or awe. Do you know those kind of moments in your life? When was the last time you wanted a moment to never end?

It seems to me that there are three truths about those moments. First, they are ‘fully awake’ kind of moments. We are so present to ourselves, to the world, to everything in those moments.

Secondly, they reveal something deep and true about who we are and what we hope for. When time ‘stands still’ or when we want it to stand still, there is something about that moment that is resonating with our deepest and truest self. Call it connection, call it God, call it a longing for the eternal – in those moments that we want time to stop, we are connected not only to our deepest self, but to something beyond our human hopes and dreams - we are connected to God, even it we might never use the word God in that moment.

And finally, it seems to me, those moments usually leave us with a deeper sense of mission/journey that is ours to accomplish. When you experience the love felt during a retreat weekend, or the connections of a wedding reception, or the tenderness of a kindness offered, in that same moment, you know you can’t ignore it – you have to live that ‘truth’ somehow back into the world.

It is what Peter, James and John knew on that mountain top. Luke tells us: “Becoming FULLY AWAKE, they saw his glory…” When they were able to enter the moment, it spoke to them profoundly. Secondly, Peter says: “Lord – let’s stop time – set up three huts here. Stay here in the experience, stay here in this moment of glory. Because what we see in you is what we hope for us. We recognize in you, as fearful as it is – a goodness, and a truth about what we hope for.” And finally, they recognize that the EXODUS Jesus is talking about making to Jerusalem will somehow be theirs. In his experience of the Voice which called him the beloved, he knew that he would have to bring that love all the way to Jerusalem, all the way to the city that would eventually put him to death. And if they were to be his follower, they would also have to go. (I kind of wonder if this is why they fell silent and didn’t tell anyone of the experience?)

So, this second Sunday of Lent, the church puts before us the experience of the transfiguration. We are invited to be aware for the rest of these forty days, for those moments when the veil opens for us – and we know in a timeless kind of moment – a deeper truth about who we are, a greater sense of wakefulness to life, and a sense of purpose that says: I cannot live the same way anymore.

There upon the mountain top – Peter, James and John experienced one of those moments. This week, pray for your own transfiguration moment – when the exodus YOU have to make becomes just a bit clearer. Pray for the wakefulness and attentiveness to enter into the moment, and then for the grace to live that experience for the rest of these Lenten days…