Tomorrow Sunday February 7th is the last of a five part series “Discovering Divine Magic in Daily Lives”. I have been so very encouraged and inspired by the growing numbers at this series and by the readiness to learn and discuss; truly never before in my experiences of parish ministry. Well done, Trinity Newport Rhode Island.
Here are the notes for the final session
Trinity Church
Newport, RI 02840
“Discovering the Divine Magic in Our Lives” ; January 10-February 7
February 7 “The Magic is for Movement – Beware of Holy Ghettos”
“Epiphany” is a word of Greek origin, related to such English words as “theophany,” “phenotype,” (*) and “phenomenon.” It means an appearance, a displaying, a showing forth, a making clear or public or obvious.
At Epiphany (January 6) Christians have traditionally celebrated the making known of Jesus Christ to the world. “They followed a star” but that was their business; the “miracle” was not the star but its significance/meaning.
It is in theological terms TA-DA! And remember: “Dammit, look at the turkeys!”
Re-cap from #2 (important notes about “glory/doxa”)
“This
act in Cana of Galilee was the first sign Jesus gave, the first glimpse of his glory. And his disciples believed in him” -John 2:11
Sign – incarnate/enfleshed in action, real time and real place
given at divine initiative
substantial glory, partial revelation
given usually in context of relationship/discipleship
requiring faith, trust, openness
#5 “Divine Magic creating Movement, not Inertia”
Luke 9:28-43a (Message)
28-31 About eight days after saying this, he climbed the mountain to pray, taking Peter, John, and James along. While he was in prayer, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became blinding white. At once two men were there talking with him. They turned out to be Moses and Elijah—and what a glorious appearance they made! They talked over his exodus, the one Jesus was about to complete in Jerusalem.
32-33 Meanwhile, Peter and those with him were slumped over in sleep. When they came to, rubbing their eyes, they saw Jesus in his glory and the two men standing with him. When Moses and Elijah had left, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He blurted this out without thinking.
34-35 While he was babbling on like this, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them. As they found themselves buried in the cloud, they became deeply aware of God. Then there was a voice out of the cloud: “This is my Son, the Chosen! Listen to him.”
36 When the sound of the voice died away, they saw Jesus there alone. They were speechless. And they continued speechless, said not one thing to anyone during those days of what they had seen.
37-40 When they came down off the mountain the next day, a big crowd was there to meet them. A man called from out of the crowd, “Please, please, Teacher, take a look at my son. He’s my only child. Often a spirit seizes him. Suddenly he’s screaming, thrown into convulsions, his mouth foaming. And then it beats him black-and-blue before it leaves. I asked your disciples to deliver him but they couldn’t.”
41 Jesus said, “What a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring your son here.”
42-43 While he was coming, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into convulsions. Jesus stepped in, ordered the vile spirit gone, healed the boy, and handed him back to his father. They all shook their heads in wonder, astonished at God’s greatness, God’s majestic greatness.
Luke 9:28-43a (NRSV)
28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36 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.
37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
NB
All the movement – took with him, went up the mountain, exodus/departure, cloud came, came down, met him, bring your son here, while coming, gave the boy back…
Peter’s desire to stay and dwell – “let us make three dwellings”
vv.28,36 – Jesus leads, Jesus alone. And the balance of community – v.28 Peter,James,John v.33 Moses & Elijah
v.29 – while he was praying. The ritual, practiced, routine is the rich soil for divine magic to occur.
v.33 – ‘divine magic’ will often lead to terror and silliness; wisdom says “this is good for obedient, guided motion”
v.37 – “on the next day”, the essential demand for reflection and consideration
v.40 – “they could not”, the plight of those left behind?