Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. (Luke 9:34-36)
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Perhaps some of you know the name Ronald Heifitz. He is the founding director of the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard and a best-selling author in the leadership field. He believes leadership is something we are taught and we cultivate. Sure there is some aspect of our nature that perhaps helps or hinders our ability to be leaders – but primarily it is something we can work on. It is something we can choose. It is something we can practice.
Heifitz would famously begin the first class of his first semester students in this way – they would walk into the classroom, find their seats, chatter would die down, people would settle. At the appointed hour – the door would swing open – Heifitz would walk in – step in front of the podium – and then…….
Do “that” – he would wait – longer than I’m going to don’t worry. He would allow for that uncomfortable silence. Long enough so that the curiosity of most gave way to – something else. Some students would be uncomfortably frustrated – some would be downright annoyed.
His purpose in this technique regarding leadership was this. Most of our educational system trains us to be passive recipients of the knowledge the teacher shares. To soak the learnings up – and then recite them back. And that’s not wrong – it’s necessary. But as we move into adulthood – and careers – and circumstances where we are called to lead – we won’t be in classrooms.
We will be in the midst of situations and we will need to be aware of what is happening - mindful. Mindful of what our emotional and physical responses are in uncomfortable situations. Mindful of the same in those around us. Composed enough to listen. Because leadership requires the presence of mind to recognize what’s underneath the discomfort – and help move through it.
Exercising leadership, (big or small) Heifitz says, generates resistance -- and pain. People are afraid that they will lose something that's worthwhile. They're afraid that they're going to have to give up something that they're comfortable with” (Pain, loss, giving up, discomfort – I hear some parallels with the story of JC)
This morning in the story we’re at the Transfiguration. A story so well-known it can be hard to hear something new. But this year, Year C, we also get this follow-up – back down below - with Jesus yelling at this “faithless and perverse generation” on the heels of his divine moment. It’s kind of strange don’t you think – that after such a beautiful and radiant mountaintop experience – Jesus, of all people, would be so quickly frustrated and angered by the inability of his disciples to do what’s expected of them.
Well Jesus is God – as the transfiguration reveals. But Jesus is also Jesus – guy, man, human being. And I think many of us can relate to the feelings of frustration and disappointment – when we go from our glorious mountaintop moments – back into reality. And perhaps some of his frustration stems not from the disciples inability to heal the boy – but from something they struggle to do on the mountain and down below.
It’s something all of us – from disciples – to students at Harvard – struggle to do – maybe that’s why the voice of God so clearly commands it. Listen – we hear this morning.
I read a scholar this week say that one way we can see that Transfiguration story is as a metaphor for worship. For instance – the event takes place on the eighth day – which very early on in Christian tradition referred to Sunday. It’s a clue to the first community hearing this text a century or so after the death of Jesus. And who does Jesus take with him on this excursion? Not everyone, not the crowds – but those who are drawn to God through Christ (Christians). What does Jesus want them to do? Pray.
And it is after prayer – in the midst of prayer, maybe – that scripture comes alive. The teachings represented by Elijah and Moses – are right there. The gathered community isn’t looking back to what was – they are making what was – real, here and now, to see it’s relevance in their lives.
Hopefully that is what we do in worship – come together – set apart – pray – and situate our story in the saving story of God.
On their mountain – God breaks through. First in Jesus – glory revealed. And then in that voice – who you’ll notice – interrupts Peter, who most likely out of fear and discomfort – has him babbling about setting up shop on top of the mountain.
God interrupts the small talk – listen. Pay attention.
If in some way this story shares instruction for us on how to worship – then where in this can we listen? Let’s be honest – there is not a lot of space in our worship for listening – for God’s voice. While wonderful and uplifting and transformative (sometimes) in its own right – our worship is primarily directed busyness – talking and responding – singing and announcing. All in service of worship and praise – but not designed for doing what God – this morning is asking us to do.
Perhaps you've noticed or attended one of the meditative services, 5:30pm Parish Hall – Centering Prayer, Singing Meditation, Yoga Nidri, Sacred Sound Meditation we've been offering (and will continue to offer) in January. Practices as ancient as what we do here – but with a different intention. To support and encourage us to listen. Be still. Pay attention. If a faith community doesn’t offer ways in which people can come together to simply listen to God – how can that community listen for how it is meant to be a Body of Christ in the world?
On Ash Wednesday this week – we will hear God again instruct us to do the same – don’t practice your piety before others – go into your room – shut the door – and listen. To actively listen – to engage deep awareness – is not something we easily do. It takes practice.
After the glory – Jesus brings those guys right into the hard stuff – right to the pain of a parent – the sickness of a child – the family that’s been cast away because their suffering and struggle is not what anyone around them wants to acknowledge. And Jesus – looks those disciples to lead – to remedy the situation before them.
We want God to transfigure us – we want God to remedy our difficult situations. God can as this gospel shows. But God is asking us to participate. God is encouraging us to carry the voice of God with us. God is inviting us to take that time to pay attention – to listen. Be still and know that I am God – one psalmist writes – which is the practice that gives us the courage – as Paul writes - by the open statement of the truth [to] commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God.
As the season of our church has us moving from Epiphanies – and towards the transfiguring opportunity of Lent – may we continue to open ourselves to the voice of God – always speaking in the sheer silence of our hearts. Amen.
The Rev. Arianne R. Weeks
2/7/16
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