Seeing the Glory

I've finished my sermon for this week. It is a first person narrative from the perspective of Elijah. I'm excited about preaching it. I hope it will come off as good as I think it could. Any comments on it are appreciated.

Theophany that trancends time

Pseudo-Dionysius

In most holy contemplation we shall ever be filled with the sight of God shining gloriously around us at once it shone for the disciples at the divine transfiguration. And there we shall be, our minds away from passion and from earth, and we shall have a conceptual gift of light from him, and somehow, in a way we cannot know, we shall be united with him and, our understanding carried away, blessedly happy, we shall be struck by his blazing light. Marvelously our minds will be like those in the heavens above.

The Divine Names I.

I wonder too if this event transcends time. Perhaps it is precisely at the moment of the cloud enveloping Moses at Sinai that he knows the presence of Christ in the theophany. Perhaps it is at the moment that Elijah experiences the presence of Christ not in the earthquake or wind, but in the still small whisper. Perhaps as Pseudo-Dionysius says we too are on that mount as we are taken into the rapture of the Shekinah. It is remarkable that in their own theophanies, Moses and Elijah are outside the cloud. This time the cloud envelops them with Christ. O! How I long for the day when I shall truly be in that cloud!

Church Fathers

“Ephrem the Syrian:

The Lord beyond measure
Measures out nourishment to all,
Adapting to our eyes the sight of himself,
To our hearing his voice
His blessing to our appetite
His wisdom to our tongue

Hymns on Paradise 9.27

Origen:

The text suggests that it would be possible for Jesus to be transfigured before some of his disciples, and not before others. But if you wish to see the transfiguration of Jesus as seen by those who went up into the lofty mountain apart from the others, view with me the Jesus in the Gospels. Remember that he was more literally apprehended by those below “according to the flesh” –by those who did not go up to the lofty mountain of wisdom, who did not go up through words and deeds that are uplifting.

Commentary on Matthew 12.37

Shekinah and Transfiguration

The Shekinah of God is a theme that has gripped me lately. The images of the trembling mountain the smoke and fire, and the speaking Voice rolling through eternity set me to awe.

It is this awe that greets the disciples on the mount of transfiguration. It meets Elisha on the day his master is snatched away.

The psalmist declares "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth,” and again, "The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah”

Paul tells us, "it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

We are invited to look – to gaze upon this blazing glory of God. Elisha is promised that if his eyes behold it, he would receive the portion he desires.

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.” Those who will not give up, but will follow on will see. The inner circle on the mount of transfiguration saw Jesus, Elijah and Moses in glory. The speaking, creative voice rolled over them, saying that the glory was Jesus’ His Son. "Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him."

Paul declares the good news of the gospel story. This Christ who is seen in bright and terrible holiness has shone in our hearts!

Hallelujah