Text: Mark 9:2-13 (see below)
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| BibleWalks.com |
Historians note that Neanderthal people came to Tabor from 80,000 to 15,000 BCE to make flint tools and since there was no water to be found, the Mount was used only as a factory site. The first mention of Tabor in the Hebrew Scriptures is in connection with the defeat of King Hazor at the hands of Deborah and Barak in 1125 BCE (the famous tent peg story). But Tabor is also mentioned in the writings of Hosea and Jeremiah and historically has been the backdrop for many ancient battles (Syrians and the Egyptians in 218 BCE; the Jewish Wars in 67 CE and later into the second century).
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| GoogleEarth.com |
“The localization of the Transfiguration fluctuated at the beginning of the Byzantine period. Eusebius (d. 340 CE) hesitates between Tabor and Mount Hermon, while the Pilgrim of Bordeaux (d. 33 CE) places it on the Mount of Olives . In 348 CE Cyril of Jerusalem Piacenza
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| BibleWalks.com |
The only access to the site is by eight-passenger diesel Mercedes-Benz taxi that ascends up the mountain by switchbacks. (lovingly referred to as the “Alleluia Ride”). The entrance to the Monastery is located on the south-west side. It is an impressive medieval style gate - called the "gate of the wind". It is based on the original Crusaders gate, and was restored in 1897. The five cross symbol above the center is the Franciscan's symbol. This symbol was originally the Crusaders' sign of Jerusalem
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| BibleWalks.com |
The current basilica was erected in 1924, designed by Antonio Barluzzi, over the ruins of Crusader church. As you enter, you are immediately struck by the long and very high nave which engages the senses instantly. To reach the altar and the beautiful mosaic of Jesus transfigured, the pilgrim must climb up a set of side stairs. Jesus appears in glory high above the clouds with Moses and Elijah on either side of him and the disciples staring in utter amazement. Below this altar setting is another chapel with magnificent art depicting the life of Jesus (two chapels – earthly/heavenly? Perhaps.) But in the lower chapel, you will find two peacocks in the center window above the altar. The peacock was a symbol eternal life given to the followers of Jesus for according to legend the flesh of the peacock does not decay.
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| flickr.com |
Two side chapels near the rear of the church celebrate the life and ministry of Elijah and Moses. I always get the giggles when I visit the chapel dedicated to the prophet Elijah for the architect, Antonio Barluzzi, obviously enjoyed good food for in his interpretation of the story of Elijah versus the prophets of Baal, Barluzzi overloads the scene with some of the finest Italian meats – Prosciutto di Parma, Sopressata, Calabrese Salami, Capicola, Pancetta, and Italian Roast Pork - none of which are available in the Galilee. But, it certainly puts an Italian spin on the story!
Today, while reading the text I am struck by Peter’s statement: ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ There is something in all of us that wants to physically “capture” a moment in our life journey and hold on to it forever. This lesson was learned again yesterday at, of all places, a PGA golf tournament in Akron , Ohio
Sunday was the final round of the Bridgestone Championship at the Firestone Country Club. All the elite of the golfing world were present: Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood, Ernie Els, Sergio Gracia, Adam Scott – I saw them all. The volunteers for the tournament were constantly reminding the gallery that picture taking was prohibited: but, that did not stop folks from trying to capture their “hero” in the moment.
Now, I take a lot of photographs for my volunteer activities around Northeast Ohio . To be honest, it is very rare when you capture the true spirit of an individual or a scene that takes you beyond the paper that the photograph is printed on. The best memory, I find, is truly the one which we make in the deep recesses of our minds. I could not capture the smile of Jim Furyk yesterday as he responded to the cheers of the gallery at the ninth green. I will never have that moment on a piece of photo paper, but I will always have it in my mind for his gratitude and appreciation for the supportive throngs of supporters was tangible. He was in reality, for just a moment, in the midst of a golf tournament – transfigured.
We live in a world today where everything has to be captured and immediately shared with others. I wonder if that is such a good thing. The voice coming from the cloud at the moment of the Transfiguration encourages the three disciples to listen to Jesus – to pay attention – to focus on what was truly important. For me, this is a call to put down the camera from time to time, the video recorder, the audio player, and pay attention to what is happening in the moment – not worrying about “capturing” it; but experiencing it and when the time is right sharing it with others.
Love One Another – Brian
God's Transfiguration of the World
Desmond Tutu
All over this magnificent world God calls us to extend His kingdom of shalom-peace and wholeness — of justice, of goodness, of compassion, of caring, of sharing, of laughter, of joy, of reconciliation. God is transfiguring the world right this very moment through us because God believes in us and because God loves us. What can separate us from the love of God? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. And as we share God's love with our brothers and sisters, God's other children, there is no tyrant who can resist us, no opposition that cannot be ended, no hunger that cannot be fed, no wound that cannot be healed, no hatred that cannot be turned into love, no dream that cannot be fulfilled.
Source: God Has a Dream
Mark 9:2-13
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. Then they asked him, ‘Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ He said to them, ‘Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him.’
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