In the Bible, the phrase, “do not fear” appears 57 times and “do not be afraid” 46 times. I guess the Bible knows that we live in a scary world. We’re afraid about the world our children and grandchildren will grow up in. We’re afraid about what the doctor is going to tell us. We’re afraid to check our bank balance. We’re afraid that things are changing too fast. That’s not to mention the fears we have living in Chicago. St. Matthew must have lived in a similarly scary time and place. When he tells the story of the transfiguration of Jesus he describes an undercurrent of fear. On the mountaintop, the disciples initially wanted to pitch tents so they could stay in the divine presence. They seemed happy with a bright and shiny Jesus and the presence of two dead heroes from Israel’s history. But when a cloud cast a shadow over them and the heavenly voice said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” they fell down and “were very much afraid.” Be afraid, be very afraid. After all the weird stuff that preceded that moment – it is, after all, kind of unusual to be around dead people! — what frightened them at that moment? The cloud? The voice? I can’t help but wonder if it wasn’t the message. This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. Was what really scared the disciples was that they had to listen to Jesus, that he meant what he said, that they had to take his words seriously? The heavenly voice declared that Jesus’ words were not just high sounding ideals to be admired but a way of life to be followed. Peter, James and John were afraid that they were in fact expected to turn the right cheek if someone struck the other. They were afraid that they were going to have to forgive seventy times seven times all those people who had hurt them. They were afraid that had to find a blessing in being poor in spirit, in being lowly, in mourning, in hungering and thirsting for justice. They were afraid that when they saw the hungry and thirsty, the homeless and naked, the sick and imprisoned they had to care for them as if it were Jesus himself. If you think about it, the disciples were right to fear listening to a Jesus who said “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” It is scary to listen to a Jesus who said “stop worrying about your life, what you are to eat, or your body, what you will wear. Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be given you.” Maybe they were wise to fear having to listen to Jesus who told them: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” The heavenly voice shook the apostles out of their complacency that they could be disciples of Jesus and still act pretty much as they had before. They were frightened because if they listened to Jesus they had to become different.
At the beginning of this season of Lent perhaps we have not yet felt that fear of the Lord which moves us into action. Following Jesus should rattle us out of our accustomed rut. We’re treading on dangerous ground when we heed the call of discipleship. The ushers should be handing out hard hats and signal flares instead of worship aids and bulletins. If we aren’t at least a little bit intimidated at the task of becoming Christian we probably aren’t getting it yet. The story of the Transfiguration is always told on the Second Sunday of Lent but not as an interesting tale of ancient history about a long ago figure. We hear it rather as a model for us to follow today. All of our Lenten practices are designed to transfigure us, to transform us into a closer follower of Jesus. Our faces might not shine like the sun (s-u-n), as Jesus’ did, but our hearts should shine like the Son (s-o-n) who came that we might have life, life to the full. We enter into the season of Lent with a firm resolve to take one more step closer to conforming our life to that of Jesus. A daunting prospect, a frightening prospect? Yes. But as disciples we can do no less.
What helps us overcome our reluctance and fear at being challenged to take the word of Jesus to heart? What helps us to leave behind the life we are used to in order to live for God? What makes putting up with hardship entailed in being gospel people possible? The same thing that enabled Peter, James and John to overcome their fear. Jesus touched them and said, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” We are told that when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone. Church, we gather in this place in worship, we gather with others in praise, we go to our rooms in prayer so that Jesus can touch us and say to us, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” The life he holds out for us is a challenge, yes, because it is so different from what society holds up as desirable. But once we listen to his words and follow his way – the way of peace, of mercy, of forgiveness, of generosity, of self-denial, of love – then we will find the happiness that we are made for. We have to be like the apostles and see “no one else but Jesus alone.” When you don’t know how to deal with this person giving you a hard time, see Jesus alone in them and you’ll find what to do. When you aren’t sure how you’re going to cope with this illness, that trouble, the insurmountable problem, see Jesus alone and feel the strength that comes from God. When storms of life are raging, in the midst of tribulation, as the devil’s tricks are playing, see Jesus alone and all will be well, all manner of things will be well. Arise, do not be afraid. God is well pleased to call us his beloved children.
