TRANSFIGURATION
After the sixth day Jesus journeyed towards a mount with his disciples calling Peter, James, and John apart; leading the three to the highest point which was deserted. At this his appearance altered; his face became like the light of the sun and his clothing dazzling white – transfiguring before their vary eyes. Then the prophets Moses and Elijah who bore the means of that which was revealed them came to meet and converse with him within the apparition. (Mt 17: 1-3)
This wonderful image of light, brightness and its contrast describes the theme of the Orthodox Church which enters into the mystery of God’s illuminous presence of which has and ever will reach out into the lives of his people via signs and wonders within his mystical body the Church!
Orthodoxy does not seek science to explain the supernatural….how can it? These are two different realities – one which belongs to the natural order/composition of the cosmos and the other which belongs to the unseen – that which is above and beyond theories which scientists, philosophers and some theologians “not in accordance with the Fathers of the Church” have either fallen short as inconclusive or gone around the twist so to speak/write!
The wonderful iconography of our Church portrays this divine reality with the composition of colours from dark to light – light emerging from the darkness; the presence of the Holy Spirit within the life of the believer and the greater Communion of Saints. Such is depicted with the halo/orb which mirrors the uncreated light and presence of God made present in us via his call and our response to communion! Hence, our satisfactory reassurance IS in the mere simplicity of what is familiar and mystical at the same token; here I am! It’s me! You know me for I have called you out of mere existence into the fullness of my life made possible in you! “Partakers of the Divine Mysteries of his Church”
How many times have we heard “if he exists why then does he allow bad things/evil to thrive?” If he is all loving and merciful how can he not intervene and show himself/ do something for once?” YET when something supernatural takes place we hear: “Perhaps this theory justifies this occurrence!” That theory justifies or rather calms our notion that there is no such thing as other out there The truth of the matter is that WE allow evil to thrive because we are not as good as we make out to be and can be very selfish and vindictive!
Further, we create friction in the cosmos causing the disruption of that which has been established and have an arrogance when meddling with that which is not to be touched – yes to research for the edification of humanity is a God given right, but to begin tampering with that which is not for us to draw near to always ends nasty! Hence , when God does intervene it’s never good enough or grand enough nor clear enough; even if an extraordinary event occurs with its effects accompanying such a wonder our response: “Ah, yeah!” “Big deal!” “Hmmmm!” “Ummm I don’t know!” “My head hurts!”
Our Father amongst the Saints, Gregory Palamas (1296-1259AD) gave a marvellous testimony upon the occurrence in his second homily stating: “The light of the Transfiguration of the Lord is not something that comes to be and then vanishes, nor is it subject to the sensory faculties, although it was contemplated by corporeal eyes for a short while upon an inconsequential mountaintop. But the initiates of the Mystery, (the disciples) of the Lord at this time passed beyond mere flesh into spirit through a transformation of their senses, effectualized within them by the Spirit, and in such a way that they beheld what, and to what extent, the Divine Spirit had wrought blessedness in them to behold the Ineffable Light!”
These days we are way too busy keeping our minds within the norm and have very little time for things up there and above as it were; it’s all about the here and now and IF there is a THERE then we will deal with it when we get there! Having stated thus, we are very curious and it’s all about being in control at all times – yet we tend to draw on the oracles, the so called mystics in order to know what’s going to happen in our lives and how we should conduct our affairs especially in the admittance of others within our space, our life in accordance of the category of our desire!
We want to transform our existence “commodities in all its connotations” to the better and be on top if you will! Yet when things fail to go our way and perhaps because we get too big for our boots as it were; depression kicks in and there are many that begin the time old favourite: “Someone has done black magic on us!”
The same Church Father mentioned above continues in stating that: “The same Inscrutable Light shone and was mysteriously manifest to the Apostles and the foremost of the Prophets at that moment, when (the Lord) was praying. This shows that what brought forth this blessed sight was prayer, and that the radiance occurred and was manifest by uniting the mind with God, and that it is granted to all who, with constant exercise in efforts of virtue and prayer, strive with their mind towards God. True beauty, essentially, can be contemplated only with a purified mind. To gaze upon its luminance assumes a sort of participation in it, as though some bright ray etches itself upon the face.”
During the week I received a text message from a member of a most respected Italian family informing me that their new born child must undergo heart surgery and I was asked on short notice if I could spare a moment to visit the hospital and pray over the little one. Any good servant of God regardless of rank will step outside his commitments as soon as possible with urgency to attend onto the matter! Thus I reassured them that after the evening service I will be there to attend to that which is necessary.
Upon my arrival I was greeted by family members who were overcome with emotions BUT have strong faith in the Lord and thus we begun the Rituals prescribed to such. The discomfort and uneasiness of the child was calmed imminently upon holy unction and although small and frail – the greatest smile and ease radiated from the child in which all gathered witnessed; a tiny but authentic transfiguration via the Holy Spirit who is called upon in prayer via the glorious mysteries of his Church! All was successful and the child is truly blessed and filled with the grace of God’s response – intervention to the requests of our hearts which stemmed from the small wondrous occurrence!
Therefore, the quest for bettering or being successful in all that we do indeed flourishing MUST stem from within; we need to train our whole persona ‘mind, body, spirit’ to be in unison! This can ONLY occur if we draw near and at least attempt to come to know the source/the origin of that which – rather HE who IS Spirit! Our greatest downfall in this attempt is of course SUBJECTION; we don’t want to be mastered! Although the gift of free will and constant beckoning to do good is desirable, yet we don’t want to be hijacked – God is always ASKING – the ancient rebellion is always DEMANDING! We tend not to think this out and come to the realization of this truth!
The problem is that so called Christianity which has become ridiculous with all its supposed denominations (branch theories) that contradict each another tends to reduce the house of prayer, centre of worship, edifice of healing and place of “in modern terms” recharge into a RELIGIOUS CONCENTRATION CAMP! Yes, there are cults that do this well and aren’t part of mainstream, yet mainstream can begin mirroring such perfectly when ecclesial governance is wonky! People in their right minds don’t want nor will have any part of it! Yet the thirst for that which is spiritual has truly become an epidemic……the problem is that many do not know who to turn too nor who to follow due to this spiritual bankruptcy present in the groups mentioned above who unfortunately verge on teachings that are not that of the Apostles!
When the Apostle Peter was continuing in dialogue with the Lord concerning the present occurrence an illuminous light that took the likeness of a cloud immediately overshadowed them at which the voice emanating from that apparition acclaimed: “This is the beloved, my Son in whom I have been well pleased to send: listen to his words and keep them!” When the Three witnessed what had just taken place, they were overcome with emotions and fear thus causing them to collapse. At this Jesus came to them and touched them with his comforting presence saying: “Come and don’t be afraid!”
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