Last Sunday after the Epiphany 2024

Mark 9,2-9

Rev. Neli Miranda

Today, we come to the close of the liturgical season called "After the Epiphany" in our Anglican tradition. During this season we have experienced the Epiphany, God’s glory among us. First, we experienced the glorious epiphany when we joined the magi from the east who were seeking the child who was born king, the baby Jesus. In Bethlehem, we received God’s manifestation in the most human image, a mother holding her newborn baby in arms. There, together with the magi, we offered our gifts and saw the glory of God in the eyes of a newborn.  Later, we accompanied Jesus to his baptism in the Jordan River, we saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending upon Jesus, and we heard the divine voice saying to the committed Jesus, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased” (Mk1,11). What a glorious epiphany we experienced when we also committed to God in the renewal of our baptismal vows!

From that time on, Jesus continued manifesting God among us. He came to our Galilee announcing, “The Kingdom of God has come near”(Mk 1,15).  He brought liberation and healing in our midst as a sign that the Kingdom of God is among us. He also called us to be his disciples to announce the good news of God in our world. Now, it is time to move forward. A new journey awaits us, Lenten Season.

On this Sunday, as the Epiphany Season closes, notice the genius of the Revised Common Lectionary that brings us the Gospel passage of Jesus’ transfiguration, an epiphanic experience on the mountaintop. This passage will reappear later in the rhythm of the liturgical calendar; but this morning, it brings us to the mountain top for the closing of this glorious season and wraps us in the Epiphany.

In today’s text, Mark tells us that Jesus and three of his disciples go up a high mountain. In the Gospels, we also read that on several occasions Jesus went up a mountain to pray, to meet with God.  And the great epiphanies in the Old Testament took place on mountains, like Mount Sinai. Thus, mountains had great significance for Jesus and his disciples.

Jesus’ disciples had already spent a considerable time with Jesus and had experienced the divine manifestation; now, they are led to another level to strengthen their faith and move forward. On the mountaintop, the disciples are wrapped in the glory of God and hear the divine voice saying, “This is my Son, the Beloved”. This is God’s voice that in Jesus’ baptism had stated “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased”(Mk 9,7). But now there is an additional line, “Listen to him!”  It is just as important to know that Jesus is the Son of God as it is to listen to Him and follow Him!

Was the first community of disciples listening to other voices? Was the community tempted to discontinue on Jesus’ path? On the mountaintop, the disciples confirmed that Jesus is the son of God, but they were also commanded to “Listen to him!"; that is obey him, follow him! On the mountaintop they were encouraged to turn their faith into action. This experience got them back on track.

Dear sisters and brothers, so far, the Epiphany Season has led us to know Jesus as the Son of God, the beloved One. We now know Jesus as the One who brings God among us, the One who brings liberation and health, and the One who calls us to be his disciples. Today, as we come to the close of this season, we are invited to go up the mountaintop and be wrapped in the glorious epiphany.  And as we are wrapped in the glory of God, take a moment to hear the divine voice saying to us, “Listen to him!”.  Can you feel that you are wrapped in the epiphany?   What is Jesus saying to us today?

Experiencing God on the mountaintop gives us confidence that we walk in the company of Jesus, the Son of God, whose voice we listen to and obey.  Today’s epiphany does not leave us on the mountaintop but invites us to turn our creed into action, to come down and continue our journey.  One day, in our final moment, we will experience the great Epiphany and we will stay on the mountaintop; but for now, we are not staying on the mountaintop but walking down to continue our journey with Jesus and our community.

May the divine presence be with us as we go down the mountain and begin Lenten Season.

Amen.