Introduction
In Exodus 24.13 and Matthew 17.1 both Moses and Jesus ascend a mountain for an encounter with the divine presence which leaves them transformed. As mysterious and marvellous as these experiences are, neither Moses nor Jesus can accomplish the task which God has given him unless he descends the mountain: Moses in communicating God’s instructions to the people of Israel, and Jesus in his saving work born out of his arrest, crucifixion/death and resurrection.
Context
When we descend the mountain of spiritual bliss – or simply step out the doors of our comfortable churches – how prepared are we for the stark needs that face us? (After following the link, click on the bag image to see the story.)
Another recent story of human love encountering human need aired on BBC One’s Inside Out.
The election of Donald Trump has divided Christian opinion the world over, not least about what it means to be a Christian society – T.S. Eliot had something to say on that subject back in 1939.
Reflection
You will have already noticed that what I offer here is a different approach to the mountain-top experiences of Moses and of Jesus and his disciples than what is offered in this week’s ROOTS Bible notes. While I fully subscribe to the commentary offered there, I want to focus on the human element, as represented in Peter, and on the mission that can only happen once Jesus and the disciples descend the mountain. The account of the transfiguration is one of the better known in the Gospels. And while the obvious focus is upon the glory of God revealed in Jesus, Peter’s behaviour – as always – is worth noting. Peter wants to build shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. And why not? For a first century Jew, what bliss both to be and to remain in the presence of the great lawgiver, the foremost prophet and the Messiah? Like Peter, most of us would prefer to bask in divine glory on the mountain-top than descend into the grime of the world.
But where does Jesus accomplish his mission; and where does he send us? Pope Francis, in a homily for World Youth Day (28 July 2013), wrote: ‘There are no borders, no limits: [Jesus] sends us to everyone. The gospel is for everyone, not just for some. It is not only for those who seem closer to us, more receptive, more welcoming. It is for everyone. Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of life, to the fringes of society, even to those who seem farthest away, most indifferent. The Lord seeks all – he wants everyone to feel the warmth of his mercy and his love.’
With Fairtrade fortnight beginning on 27 February, it is worth keeping in mind the most unfair trade in the world: human trafficking. It is one of the fastest growing and most lucrative ‘businesses’ in the world, and its profits run into hundreds of billions of dollars. It is estimated that there are approximately 20 to 30 million slaves in the world today. According to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year, of which 80% are female and half are children. But one doesn’t have to run a sweat shop or visit illicit brothels in order to participate in this trade. Visiting pornographic web sites, buying bootleg films on DVDs or ‘knock-off’ fashion items, are just some of the ways that sex and slave workers are exploited as they are used to produce these things.
Prayer
The following prayer might be used between the Bible readings and the sermon.
Life-giving, energising God, as with Moses, James, John and Peter, we long for you to give us the experience of your presence. We long for you to bring the dazzling light of your presence into the dull routines of our lives. We long to hear from you words that are dearer, stronger and more encouraging than the vast majority of words we hear at school, work, on television, pod casts, in the passing crowd or even in our own confused and scattered thoughts.
Lord, today – this day – we would love to hear your word for us; to hear you yourself. Whether words of consolation or words of admonition, we wish to hear your voice; for we believe that you are alive among us and that you are anxious to give us the things we need, the things that lead to true life.
Save us from the petty, silly and even stupid distractions by which we entertain ourselves and kill time. Forgive us for any negligent misuse of the time you have given to each of us. Convert us afresh to lives of thanksgiving and service. Dedicate us anew to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, as he leads us into a world – your world – which has fallen far from the glory in which it was created.
You have created us to know and to recognise your image in one another. Forgive us for actions and inaction, words and thoughts which both tarnish your image in us and prevent us from seeing it in others. Set us free from lazy habits of mind, from inactivity, from the tyranny of fashion and impatience for the next moment. Help us to see this world as your world and our lives as your channels for pouring love, justice and mercy into the lives of all around us. Have mercy upon us and bless us, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Questions
- Have you ever considered that a pound is a vote? That is, every pound you spend is a ‘vote’ in favour of a product – no matter how or where it was produced. Are their things you have purchased for which, upon reflection, you wouldn’t ethically ‘vote’?
- Is Fairtrade merely about which coffee, tea and biscuits to buy for meetings and after-worship fellowship? If not, how might it be extended in the life of your church? In your life?
Action
How often do you come into real human contact with the homeless or hungry? Fairtrade is a very worthy way of helping ensure a better life for people who are often ‘over there’ somewhere. But food/clothing banks, ‘soup kitchens’ and other direct means of aid put us into close contact with the needy closer to home. If your church is not directly involved, could it be? If there are no food banks, or similar, in your community, could your church assess the needs and/or get one started? As a bare minimum, is there someone in your community who regularly works with the homeless who could give you information and help you get started?
Young people
Following on from the above reference to Fairtrade fortnight and human trafficking, would any of your peers or in your youth group know how to recognise a young person who might be the victim of trafficking? Would you know what to do? Would obtaining training be a way forward?
Dr Jack Lawson has recently retired as Mission Enabler for the East Anglia District of the Methodist Church, but continues to lecture in Hebrew Bible and is a freelance author. He is the author of the novel 'Doing Time' which is based on his years as a chaplain in a Southern US women’s prison.
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