II
Kings 2: 1-12 :: Psalm 50: 1–6 :: II Corinthians 4: 3–6 :: Mark 9: 2–9
This is the homily given
at St. John’s, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania on Sunday, February 11, 2018 by Fr.
Gene Tucker.
“COMFORT
FOOD”
(Homily text: Mark 9: 2-9)
This
morning, we look at the event which is known as the Transfiguration of our Lord
Jesus Christ, which is an event we conclude the Epiphany season with every
year, and which is also celebrated on its own separate feast day, August 6th. Let’s consider the importance of this
revelation of the Lord’s glory to Peter, James and John from the perspective of
“comfort food”. For this event would serve to provide comfort and strength not
only to these three disciples, but, eventually, to all of the disciples.
Many
families have some sort of “comfort food”, which might be a particular food or
dish that is associated with shared love and experiences within the family. In
our family, we have a tradition which is associated with good times and shared
experiences: It is an ice cream sundae known as a Tin Roof Sundae, or in some
areas of the country, a Peanut Parfait. It is made up of vanilla ice cream,
chocolate sauce and Spanish peanuts. The interaction of the salted peanuts with
the sweetness of the ice cream, blended with the chocolate sauce, makes, for
our family, quite a treat.
In
fact, whenever the family gets together, and the suggestion is made that it’s
time for ice cream, sometimes I will intentionally leave out the peanuts. Then,
it won’t be long before somebody says, “OK, where are the peanuts”. (My family
is quite well trained, as you can see.)
Tin
Roof Sundaes carry with them many memories of times gone by, of shared
experiences and of the bonds which tie the family together. Sharing time with
others in the family over Tin Roof Sundaes allows us to learn a lot about each
other, so the significance of this long-standing family tradition touches us at
some of life’s deepest levels.
Turning
to the Transfiguration event, we can see that – in the passage of time – the
disciples remembered this event with fondness: Peter, writing in his second
letter (see II Peter 1: 16 – 18) looks back fondly at the Transfiguration
event. Eventually, the disciples would draw deep comfort from the
Transfiguration event.
In
time, the disciples would come to understand that this revelation of the Lord’s
eternal glory would forecast that same glory which would be seen on Easter
Sunday morning. For God’s eternal purposes are revealed as the Father’s voice
is heard at the Transfiguration, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him.”
Of
course, as the Transfiguration unfolds, the three disciples who had gone up the
mountain with the Lord didn’t know what to make of the change in Jesus’
appearance, and of His conversing with Moses and Elijah. Peter tries to capture
the event, suggesting that three dwellings be constructed, one for the Lord,
one for Moses and one for Elijah.
As
we make our way through life, and as we walk with God, we need some spiritual
comfort food, events that assure us that the Lord Jesus Christ is no mere human
being. The Transfiguration is one of those events that provides us with
comfort, for in this event, see are given proof that Jesus Christ is one with
the Father, co-eternal with Him. If this is true, then the Lord has shown us
the Father. He has opened for us the channels of communication with the Father.
He has the power to overcome our greatest and final enemy, death.
These
things are sources of assurance for us, proofs that Jesus Christ is who He said
He is. Therefore, we can put our trust in God’s revelation of Himself, made
known in the person of Jesus Christ, who is revealed in the Transfiguration,
and in His rising on Easter Sunday morning.
Thanks
be to God.
AMEN.
