Genesis22, 1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 / Rom 8, 31-34 / Mark 9, 2-10
We have just heard the story of the transfiguration in Mark’s gospel. Matthew and Luke give similar accounts. It is a strange story. The disciples, who accompany Jesus up the mountain become confused, even dumbfounded. Mark says they didn’t know what to say or how to react.
What does it mean for Jesus to be transfigured and to shine like the sun? And what does it mean for this burst of brightness to bring on confusion and fear among the disciples? What is really being said here in the gospel?
Scripture scholars call all three accounts of the transfiguration “apocalyptic visions”. They mean that the gospel writers are trying to convey an experience the disciples had on the mountain. In the experience the disciples gained insight. That’s why it’s called a “vision”: they gained a deep insight. And the insight was into Jesus’ fundamental reality – insight into Jesus’ true self, into Jesus’ depth. That’s why the vision is called “apocalyptic”. The vision or insight is revelatory. What is seen into – the depth reached – sees into and reaches into God.
The movement toward insight was frightening for the disciples. It was frightening because to get to Jesus’ depth and truth they had to move beyond all that had become familiar to them about Jesus – beyond his clothes – beyond his looks and moods – beyond his bearing and manner.
To come to the core of another person does involve giving up one’s own favorite expectations and projections. Coming to know another person – as that person truly, deeply is – requires a profound self-denial on my part. For biblical and mystical writers this movement to the core, to the heart of the person of Jesus requires a particular kind of self-denial. It requires what they call “unknowing”. It requires giving up all my comfortable presumptions and presuppositions about Jesus, and God. “Unknowing” requires giving up the illusion that I really do know Jesus – really do know God. These writers also speak of the necessity of entering into the “cloud of unknowing” in order to come to know Jesus and God – in order to come to the core of all reality.
Here in the transfiguration scene in the gospel the disciples enter into the “cloud of unknowing”. There they learn by un-learning; they know by un-knowing. In the cloud they learn Jesus is: my beloved son – in him you see what pleases me – listen and learn from him what it means to be child of God – listen and learn from him what it means to be divine – listen and learn from him what I, God, am like.
And so the disciples must enter into the frightening task of un-learning all that they held dear and sacred – all that they thought godly and holy. That truly is a fearful journey – to have your basic certainties called into question – to un-learn cherished notions of God.
In Jesus we learn God’s true image. We learn that God is vulnerable – that God does not defend himself – does not protect himself. In Jesus we learn God’s humility – God’s absolute need to be with us and in us – not above us. We learn God does not know how to lord it over us. In Jesus we learn God’s justice forgives and does good to the enemy. God’s justice is to love – simply and generously – without measure and without condition.
On our journey in Lent we as disciples must accompany Jesus up the mountain. We must enter into the cloud. We must become confused and uprooted from familiar images and certainties. As disciples and as a church we must learn by un-learning. We must learn our God’s power is wielded through vulnerability. As disciples and as a church we must learn our God’s power is wielded through a humble being with people and through a justice which only loves them.
Once we have learned by un-learning, then we – as disciples and as a church – will be able to teach others the ways and will of God. Then we will have something to say even to a powerful nation become so full of itself.
But, first, we must unlearn.
Fr. Pat Earl, SJ
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