Little Transfigurations
The first signs of autumn are upon us. We tend to talk about many of autumn’s signs
as changes, when, in fact, they instead reveal a deeper truth that has been there
all along, but was hidden from the human eye.
The most common error is when we talk about the leaves of the trees
turning color. What really happens is
that the trees stop producing chlorophyl as the days get shorter and
cooler. So, as the green of the
chlorophyl decreases, the leaves reveal their true colors – the brilliant reds
and yellows and oranges that we associate with autumn.
But, not all autumn plant color comes from the plant
shutting down. Autumn sedum also changes
from green to pinkish to deeper red to rich coppery rust colors. In this case the plant is actually blooming. It is at the peak of its life cycle. I have already seen a splash or two of rich
purple as the wild aster is also beginning to bloom at the very time that the goldenrod
is drying down. Just a few weeks ago the
goldenrod began to bloom – the initial buds were almost lemon-yellow. Now, the blooms have deepened to the gold
color that they get their names from.
I’ve noticed this week that the gold finches that
frequent my backyard feeders are quickly fading into their winter plumage. The males wore a bright yellow color in the
summer months, but now they don’t look much different than the females.
Both the whitetail deer and the sandhill cranes have
undergone a color change. In the spring
and heart of the summer, they are reddish in color. But as September deepens, the deer and cranes
are taking on a gray coloring that they will wear through the winter.
After six days Jesus took Peter, James,
and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was
transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became
white as light. Matthew 17:1-2
When I see these changes and transfigurations of
autumn, I consider the thought of Jesus changing His appearance on Mount Tabor
in front of Peter, James and John. We
call it the transfiguration. The online
dictionary defines transfiguration as the complete and striking change in
appearance. I used to think that meant
that Jesus turned Himself into someone different. However, Jesus is not changed. Rather, His Divine Glory, which has always
been there, is revealed to the three apostles. It seems to me that it makes a difference in
how you think about it. Yes, the appearance
is different, but the Nature is more fully and more perfectly experienced. Jesus shares with us His human and His Divine
natures – each co-existing rather than in competition. The tranquility of these combined Natures
comes from each fully giving itself to the will of the Father. And, the Father’s will is that we all be
saved.
If you dread the coming of autumn and winter, consider
the deeper truth of Jesus’ transfiguration and take heart as again creation
reveals the Creator.
His Peace <><
Deacon Dan
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