A new light and a new vision

Matthew 17:1-9

         Today I went to the funeral Mass for my ex-mother-in-law. She was an amazing woman in every way. She was a role model. The Priest gave an excellent homily that actually reflected the readings and the reason why we were all there. It shouldn't be a surprise when a preacher hits a home run but he did and I am sure everyone was touched.  One of the points he made that I took away was the fact that this woman no longer experiences the world in the same way as we do. Obviously gone are the references to space and time but also the need for the virtues we strive for , faith, hope and love. She has them all in abundance in the presence of her creator. She is home. 

        It is quite interesting when our frame of reference is ripped from us. It is similar to our discomfort when someone experiences life in a way that is totally different than what we are used to.  Peter, James and John got quite a glimpse in the Transfiguration. It was certainly not of this world. Not only did they see Jesus differently but they saw Moses and Elijah as well. This was no ordinary meeting, it was not a vision that is normal in any way to us.

         We do however get glimpses of such things when we see things in a whole new light or see someone in an entirely new light. The reason is because we grow accustomed to seeing people in certain lights, in certain ways and always in the realm, the only realm, we are used to - time and space. 

        

         I recall meeting a woman at work once who spoke to her employees more like what you might expect from a truck driver, loud and vulgar.  That was my experience of her. Imagine my surprise when I saw her at church in a choir robe singing with the choir!  It seemed incongruous but she was forever changed in my eyes.

         Then there was the young stereotypical Italian young man in my jury pool who kept looking out the window of our jury room to be sure his Trans-Am was ok, untouched. I would have said "Guido" before I found out he was a genuinely good young man who spent his weekends dishing out food to the homeless from the back of a truck. 

          For some of us, it is very difficult if not impossible to let go of the way we look at things, people or groups. There is a national debate going on right now over how gay people are viewed. Some still cling to stereotypes. They feel at odds with what we supposedly believe and what they believe. Our perceptions of reality seem totally different at times.  For example, someone on the conservative right might envision a good marriage as one man and one woman where the wife is subservient and somewhat of a 'tool' for sexual urges if not for simply child bearing. It is this paradigm which has them envisioning gay marriage as leading to marriage with animals and inanimate objects. On the gay side of the equation (and a large majority of decent Americans), marriage is one of love, mutual consent and commitment. From this paradigm, marriage equality seems like a no brainer. People that know gay couples know they are no different than anyone else. To ask who is the man and who is the woman harkens back to that other paradigm of male domination and subservient women.  

        As people of faith, perhaps gay people have a leg up on those conservative right wingnuts. Gay people can see the world as it generally is for the majority of people. After all, almost every gay person was raised in a heterosexual family. Gay people though can also see how a marriage can be and so that is the leg up for them. Those heterosexual wingnuts cannot even read scripture straight - no pun intended - or they would treat gay people and marriage equality differently.

        When we are blessed to see things in a new light or a person in a new light we are graced to experience an other worldliness that gives us a glimpse of heaven.  We can move beyond time and space and all our human constraints but only with the eyes of faith.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.

And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.

Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.

Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"

When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."

And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."