Lenten Journey: Transformation

 

 

I was sitting in church on Wednesday evening for the beginning of Lent with the Ash Wednesday service when the idea for this journey came to me. I was feeling that this was especially appropriate as it continued the theme of transformation and change which one of my pastors, Rev. Jill VanderWal, had inspired me to think about in a sermon about the Transfiguration last month.  

The Transfiguration of Jesus appears in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; and Luke 9:28-36). It tells the story of Jesus becoming radiant while Moses and Elijah appear next to him, prompting one of Jesus’ disciples to offer to make tents for each of them. As a cloud descends upon them, a voice, presumably God’s, is heard saying, “This is my son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him.”    

When I think about the Transfiguration story, I think about transformation, removing illusions, and preparing for change. There were conflicting interpretations of Jesus during his lifetime and even on into the early history of the Church that saw him as the return of either Moses or Elijah (particularly Elijah). So, the Transfiguration story serves to clarify, revealing the truth about Jesus’ identity. This story speaks to me for its transformation metaphor which cuts through the illusion and confusion around “Who are you?”

I think of Lent, theologically, as the beginning of Jesus’ journey/sanctification before his martyrdom/crucifixion. This is not a chronological event. Jesus doesn’t begin his sanctification 40 days before the crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus’ 40 day journey happens before he begins his ministry and starts gathering disciples but it forms the basis for the Lenten season.

What can happen to us who take this Lenten journey? What transformations can we make? What are we being sanctified for? Not martyrdom, for sure, but there are other reasons to strengthen the sacred part of ourselves. (Strengthen is such a masculine-centered word. What about “highlight” or “lift up?”

As I lift up my sacred nature, I return to that question of “Who am I?” Not just “What is my purpose? That is a very Puritan utilitarian perspective on the question of identity. No, Who AM I? (Not, what do I DO?) What is my core? Where does that core lead me? How does connecting to my core self connect me to God, the higher Spirit who guides me on my path?

How would you answer those questions? Who ARE you? What is at your core? Where does your core lead you? How does connecting to your core self connect you to your Higher Power and how does that guide you on our path? What illusions need to be clarified about who you are? Who have you been told you are? How has that helped or hindered your becoming?


P.S. You are welcome to take this journey in solitude in your own personal journal or share your reflections. If anything that you do makes you think you might want to continue a journey using Spiritual Direction, now or in the future, you can make an appointment with me through my website: 

www.RedRocksSDC.com 

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