Those who have spent any time in a Windsor hospital may know that they occasionally play Brahm’s Lullaby over the sound system. This happens at all sites and signals when a baby has been born. For many, hospitals are traumatic and challenging. Filled with injury, and sickness that float between life and death. Being in hospital is often hard whether we are patients or visitors. Hospitals are spaces of worry, unknowing, and fear. Amid this angst, the song plays out. It is calming and simple. It is a sign of hope, a sign that life happens, a child is born.
Every year we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration. This feast is considered so important that we are given two choices as to when it is celebrated. The official feast day is Aug. 6th. As an alternative, we are celebrating it today signifying the close to the season of Epiphany and in preparation for the season of Lent. This moment, then, is a kind of liminal moment. It stands in between as the transfigured revealed Jesus to be a liminal figure, pointing towards that which is already and not yet.
The story of the Transfiguration is powerful imagery. Jesus takes a few of his friends, goes to a mountain top and becomes profoundly changed as he is joined by significant figures in the history of Judaism. His clothes become dazzling white as no human could ever replicate. This is a miracle of epic proportions with significant special effects. The moment is truly awesome.
To what extent do we hear this story and assume that such miraculous experiences are fun to envision but unlikely in our life? Can we honestly imagine ourselves in this story? Can we envision what it might be like to see Jesus transfigured with Moses and Elijah at his side? Do we need to have mountaintop, transfiguration experiences to know God’s work today?
The Transfiguration was truly awesome, but it wasn’t the only experience the disciples had of Jesus’ awesomeness. He had already consistently revealed who he was in every word he taught, every person he healed, everyone he fed who was hungry, and every time he challenged those whose righteousness got in the way of love. There was also day to day moments when the group found themselves sustained and nurtured. As they travelled, they were safe. God was working in and through every moment, every experience that emanated from Jesus.
God was working in and through every moment, every experience that emanated from Jesus. The same thing happens today. Mountaintop experiences are powerful and can happen. There are also a whole host of ordinary miracles, day to day moments when we can see God working in the world. A child born in a hospital filled with trauma and struggle, perhaps even as families are trying to make difficult decisions. A child is born, and a simple song to acknowledge this sends messages across the hospital that life goes on, that hope persists, that there is more than this whatever may be happening, whatever challenge may be taking place, whatever grief may be felt.
God is working in the world today. In ordinary miracles – seeds that grow, friends that call out of the blue, a sun that shines and warms through the coldest days of winter, an animal that brings comfort. God is working in the world today. In ordinary miracles – people that share their God-given gifts generously to care for those who are vulnerable, technology that allows us to pivot easily and continue to be present even when illness happens, the wisdom in the form of medications and knowledge that provides relief from illness.
God is working in the world today. In ordinary miracles – the smile of a random stranger or a random act of kindness that transforms a difficult day, the work of organisations that respond to human need with loving service, the advocacy of people fighting to transform unjust structures, challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation.
God is working in the world today. In ordinary miracles that offer hope to us and challenge us to participate. Just as our hopes and prayers can find a response through ordinary miracles, we can be the answer to other people’s hopes and prayers by saying ‘yes’ to God’s prodding and living our faith. We can participate in ordinary miracles creating spaces where something awesome can emerge and transform life one person, one moment at a time.
God is working in this world today. May we pay attention to those places where God’s hand remains present, giving thanks for the ordinary miracles and saying ‘yes’ to participating in those miracles so that more people may know God remains present, loving and transforming this world. This we pray as we sing: (VT) Longing for Light.