Sermon for  February 22, 2009 on Mark 9:2-9

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Have you ever had a perfect day or a perfect moment?  Everything around you is going right, and you are more certain of yourself and the world that you live in than you ever had been before?  Sometimes these moments come in grand events like parties and celebrations-sometimes it is a small gathering of people or even in the great release of quiet serenity.  One perfect moment that comes to mind happened almost two years ago- during my wedding.  After months of planning, trying to stay in our shoestring budget, attempting to coordinate the schedules of several family members, and worrying about the very unpredictable New England weather-Erik and I had the wonderful moment of coming together in matrimony with our closest friends and family present to witness.  It seemed perfect to us, and there was a part of me that wanted to hold onto the sure splendor of the moment.  Only bliss was present.  The worry of planning and the uncertainty of the future seemed nowhere near that beautiful day. And I have to tell you-Erik and I looked GOOD.  Our family looked good.  Everything looked great! But–the reality was that we couldn’t stay in the moment-or even in the place.  Time marched on.  We both had responsibilities, bills, tasks, plans, and callings to answer.  But it was very tempting to want to stay in the moment.

Sometimes when we’re bedazzled by the moment we try to hold onto it-not let it go. Imagine ourselves standing with Peter, James and John and watching Jesus’ transfiguration.  If we imagine ourselves on that mountain top with the disciples would we try to hold onto the moment?  Would we be like Peter and try to house the moment?  What a sure and certain moment.  Can you imagine?  All the following, and planning, and wondering.  All the conflict and doubt the disciples had experienced are gone-blown away by dazzling white light and God’s proclamation.   Here in front of us is Jesus-in holy radiance with Elijah and Moses at his sides.

This was not the first time that God revealed holy glory and radiance to God’s people.  Recall God’s revelation to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  Like Jesus’ Transfiguration, God’s holy radiance shone through the doubt and uncertainty and the Israelites were captured in the moment.  But they could not hold onto it-they would be challenged with a journey through the wilderness before they could enter the Promised Land.  That journey would be long and arduous-taking them away from the securities and certainties they had known.  Imagining yourself in that particular place-what would be some of the feelings that would run through your heart and mind?  With the daunting journey in front of them perhaps Moses and the Israelites would have felt abandoned or neglected by God.  Yet God promised to be present-wherever they went.  In fact God gifted Moses with plans for a tabernacle.  Do you know what a tabernacle is?  It is a large, wonderful tent for people to worship and praise God.  God promised them a sacred space to worship- regardless where they were, what they were experiencing- God promised to be there… to dwell with them during their wilderness journey.

I think about our own journey in life as well as the Lenten journey we begin this Wednesday.  We begin at a precipice and look out and see what lies before us.  A lot of things.  We’re in the midst of our Capital Campaign Fund Drive; this Wednesday is Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent- a time of reflection, prayer, worship, and repentance.  We stand poised to venture onto new adventures, new ministries, and a vision that proclaims Christ’s victory over sin and death.

And here we stand waiting to take this journey.  Are we ready?  We have God’s promise that we will never be alone.  God dwells with us.  God has tabernacled with us from the beginning.  In Jesus Christ- God’s glory was made known. The Word made flesh, dwelled with us.  In Jesus’ transfiguration we can see a glimpse of God’s power that would be later revealed in weakness and suffering on the cross and God’s glory that would later be revealed in Jesus’ glorious resurrection.

On the cross God’s love erased our sins, in baptism God’s spirit touched our lives and God’s presence and spirit dwells with us right now.  Just as God promised to tabernacle with the wandering Israelites, God promises to tabernacle with us.  A tabernacle or tent is a wonderful thing because it is not bogged down with structure, rather it’s suited for a people who are on the go-it is suited for a ministry that is moving and growing.

There’s something to be said about tents.  A few weeks ago I had the privilege to put up a number of tents.  Perhaps some of you were there helping as well.  It was the Saturday before the congregational picnic and there was a large task at hand.  We had to set up for the picnic, move numerous tables, even more chairs, and attempt to move semi-permanent park benches.  Another task for that day was setting up the tents.  There’s a funny thing about those tents.  One person cannot accomplish the task.  No matter how strong, how smart, or how dedicated they are-they need help.  In fact for those tents we needed a lot of help.  There was one particular tent that had to be constructed-and we wondered if we were up for the challenge.  There were so many pieces, so many things to consider, and no clear instructions to rely on.  Someone called out, “Okay guys- we need some help.  This can’t be done alone.”  And artists, engineers, managers, and laymen approached this gigantic task-and I have to say that each one of you who helped brought your own perspective and gift to the table.  Some of you had a keen eye for construction and some of you had hindsight while others of you were fantastic cheerleaders.  And the task was very challenging… and there were some bumps along the way, believe me… I bumped myself with a tent pole at least once… and realizations were eventually made, and the task was accomplished.

The phrase I heard that day still rings in my ears. “Come on guys. We can’t do this alone.”

God promises to dwell with us and calls us to be part of a mission that all may live victoriously.  God calls us into ministry- one that can move, can change and develop.  But this ministry needs artists, engineers, managers, thinkers, dreamers, talkers, listeners, and doers.  This ministry needs my hands, this ministry needs your hands.  The hands-on construction of a tent, the quiet resolution of prayer, the participation in planning, the commitment of giving, the worship and praise that comes forth in voice and song… all these pieces come together in the unity of Christ’s love that gives us life.  This ministry calls us forward from where we are and invites us to make a new journey.  “Come on guys.”  Be swept away in this journey in God’s abiding goodness and love- God is calling you today.

Amen.