Jesus’ Transfiguration reveals humanity glorified as Divine. The event involved Moses and Elijah. Both men have a previous association with trans-figuration. They are Biblical promoters of Militarism, an ancient and still pervasive religion that trans-figured humanity. Militarism’s trans-figuring involved trans-figuring warlords into deities. These trans-figured warriors were then worshiped by their cultures as gods. As this is true in the cultures of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Persians, so too it is true in the culture of the Hebrews. In the Hebrew culture, Abraham and Moses were military leaders trans-figured into a deity; the War Lord Yahweh. Elijah supported and perpetuated Moses’ War Lord system (1 Kings 18:36-40). Elijah too was trans-figured, ascending heavenward on a flaming chariot. The appearance of both men with Jesus at the Transfiguration is mistakenly interpreted as a continued glorification of their violent political and religious tradition, but it is indeed a mistaken interpretation. It is only Jesus, a peacemaker, who is glorified. Then, the two Old Testament characters appear. It is an indication they, like the disciples present, are experiencing a new Transfiguration of humanity and, therefore, of Divinity; a peaceful one.
The peacemaker Jesus’ Transfiguration is a paradigm shift in human history. It means Militarism’s ancient practice of trans-figuring its warriors into gods was being replaced. No longer would those who inflicted suffering and death be worshiped by commoners. Instead commoners would be the power willing to love and heal the War Lords and their supporters. Humanity need no longer be seduced into worship of ancient military figures such as Moses and Elijah and so many others. Nor need we worship their modern day counterparts; John McCain and Pat Robertson and so many others. Like their fore-bearers, modern day figures would have us believe that they are the political leaders and religious prophets of a great nation. That they are leaders of a chosen people who believe in the same old War Lord deity. These leaders and their deity call us still to violent victory over enemies; Russians and Muslims and so many others. But all such figures are just the same old military figures. They are commanders ordering humanity on the same old military mission – blood sacrifice. In order to achieve their mission modern day Militarists dis-figure Jesus. They refuse to respect him as a peacemaker. They dis-figure every person by coercing us toward the old War Lord model. They dis-figure every community into being just another institution in a warrior culture.
We can be transfigured as peacemakers. Our communities can be transfigured as a peace communities. We can give witness to our peaceful personal and social transfiguration and in turn help transfigure every culture into a peacemaking culture.
Prayer: Dear Spirit, may we be transformed by a vision of peace.
Question: How can I help trans-figure my community into a peace community?
March 1, 2015 Gospel Mark 9:2-10 Second Sunday of Lent