I like to climb mountains.
Oh, not the big ones like Denali or Everest. Smaller ones.
Like Superstition Mountain in Arizona, or Harney Peak in the Black Hills
of South Dakota. There is something
about the effort it takes to make the climb and the reward of the view from the
top when you get there that I find exhilarating. In my various climbing experiences I’ve gotten
lost, taken a few tumbles (none serious), and failed to reach the top a couple
of times. Once, I reached the top of a
climb only to discover a parking lot… I
could have just driven up there! Three
times, I have reached the top of a climb only to discover an approaching storm.
One of those experiences was on Harney Peak. My wife, daughter, a friend and I had made
the two hour climb to the top where there is a stone observation tower. From the tower, you can look down into the
valley below. On most days, it is a
stunning view. But, on that particular
day, a thunderstorm was slowly making its way across the valley. We were above the storm, looking down at its
billowing tops and we watched in wonder as the lightning fell in bright flashes
and jagged patterns on the green valley below.
It was truly beautiful… until we
realized it was heading right for us!
That was a little scary!
The view from the top of Mount Tabor, the traditional site
of the Transfiguration of Jesus, is just as stunning. I had the privilege of going to that mountain
top in 1990. (We took cabs, but that’s
another story). One can easily imagine
Jesus, Peter, James and John trudging up the steep climb to reach the narrow,
flat top. But, when they got to the top.
a cloud surrounded them and suddenly, the stunning view wasn’t in the valley,
but right before them: Jesus’ divinity
revealed. The presence of Moses and Elijah. The voice of God from the cloud telling them
to listen to their master. When it
passed they headed back down the mountain.
Back to their final journey to Jerusalem. Back on the way to the cross and to death.
Sometimes it helps to get above the storm for a while. Sometimes we need to stop and get some
perspective. Sometimes we need to climb a
mountain and to stop, and look, and listen to the voice of God. Moses did.
Elijah did. Jesus did. Peter, James and John did. The view can be stunning, exhilarating, beautiful,
and yes, a little scary at times. It can renew us and reform us.
Of course, we don’t all have mountains to climb close at
hand. But, weekly, the community of
Christ’s disciples gathers around Word and Sacrament, in prayer and praise, to
ask for mercy and hear the proclamation of God’s grace. In
those weekly gatherings, Christians stop to look and listen for the voice of
God. To get above the storm for an hour
or two or three. To be strengthened and
encouraged for the journey. To see
Christ transfigured and to hear how he transforms us so that we might face the
storms that rage in our lives and in our world.
Those gatherings take place on mountain tops and in valleys, on city street
corners and rural crossroads, under the trees and in great cathedrals. If you haven’t been for a while… I invite you to join us on the way.
Peace,
Bishop Mike.
Please continue to pray for peace, with justice, in our
nation and in God’s world.
Thanks for reading.
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