Reflections...

A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on 11 February 2024, by Bud Caroll. The scripture readings that day were Psalm 50:1-6 and Mark 9: 2-7.

"Living In The Valley"

Have you ever been up to Kowloon Peak [Fei Ngo San]?    My family first came to HK 58 years this week.  At the time we lived in Kowloon City.  Whenever possible we would ask a friend with a car to drive us up to Kowloon Peak – daytime OR nighttime. Other than a Scout camp, there was basically nothing up there.  But what a magnificent view.  You looked down on the old Kai Tak airport; Royal Air Force jet fighter planes; the lights of Kowloon and on clear nights, you could see all the way across the harbor to the Peak on HK island.

     An incredible feeling.  Like, “I think I’ll just stay up here.”  [PAUSE]. It seems that’s what Peter must have been feeling.  With James and John, the three had followed Jesus up to Mt. Hermon.  Five times higher than our own Peak; probably an amazing view.  Evidently it wasn’t the view that so moved Peter. It was the experience.  Seeing Jesus in dazzling white – like bright headlights blinding you.  They also had a vision of Moses and Elijah.  Peter was so excited he suggested “Rabbi, let’s just stay up here.  We’ll erect three tents in honor of Moses, Elijah and you.  OK?  But then they heard these words: “Listen to my son!’  Mark tells us this was the voice of God speaking.

     I suspect we’ve all had at least one “mountain top” experience.  That kind of event when we said, “Wow.  This is great.   If only our daily life could always be like this.” But then there came that voice again, “Listen to my son” and come down to the world of reality.

       For a moment, put aside the description of the dazzling clothes, and bright lights.  They’re not the center of the Gospel story.  Then, what is?   That Jesus was being transformed, transfigured.  Changed from ordinary daily life to become both servant and savior of the world.  

     So what does all this mean for you/me? As we come to Ash Wednesday -the beginning of Lent – and the days leading up to Easter, God is calling and challenging us to experience our own transfiguration or transformation. To come down from our own mountain tops and experience living in the valley.  The same voice that spoke to Peter, James and John, is calling to us “Listen to him, my son”.  I don’t know what kinds of valleys you live in but let me share two that seem to reflect the meaning of this Gospel passage.  Two options, if you like.

     First.  The valley of fear.  The Greek word phobia means fear.  What are you afraid of?  Personally, I’m claustrophobic – afraid of tight space.  Diane Allen, my dear friend, colleague and former active member of KUC, is afraid of heights – acrophobia.  One time when visiting the128 story high Shanghai Tower, we agreed I would look DOWN for her and she would check crowded lifts  for me.

     Today’s media coverage reminds us non-stop that people around the world, are both causing and living in great fear – political, religious, economic and personal.   Recall this:  back in the 1960s when Nikita Khrushchev was Premier of the former Soviet Union, he conducted several meetings to condemn and censure many of the cruel things Joseph Stalin had done.  One day in such a meeting, someone in the audience shouted out” Why didn’t you stop Stalin?”  Khrushchev replied, “Who said that?”  Not a single person moved.  Not a sound from anyone.  Then Khrushchev said, “Now you know why.”  Sound familiar?

     From the comfort of these church walls – from our own mountaintops, we can easily sing “O Young and fearless prophet of ancient Galilee, your life is still a summons to serve humanity; we need your presence here, Amid our pride and glory to see your face appear; Once more to hear your challenge above our noisy day, Again to lead us forward, along God’s holy way.

     That’s singing the talk. Not walking the walk!  Fear of change, transformation, Living in the valley is never easy, convenient or comfortable.  Life on our mountaintops of relative ease, safety and comfort is pretty good.  But remember Jesus’ words to Zacchaeus – the corrupt tax collector sitting in a sycamore tree – “Come down now…” Christ is calling us today to let go of whatever fears, doubts, privilege and comfort keep us apart from the aches and pains of the world and follow him in living in the valley.

     There’s a second valley – the valley of determination or perseverance. Could Jesus have avoided his cruel and painful crucifixion? Not and still be Jesus. Remember, on his last night, while at prayer and even from the cross, his words, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” Like us, Jesus experienced and enjoyed mountaintop experiences. But he also knew his purpose on earth was to be obedient to God’s will.  To live in the valley.  His transformation or transfiguration only begins to make sense when we appropriate it for our own lives.  

     You may remember a story about a man who heard there was a white gorilla in a nearby zoo. After frequent visits he persuaded the zookeeper to let him sit in the cage with the gorilla. “OK,” the keeper said, “but don’t touch him.” Shortly after, the man was so tempted he actually touched the gorilla. Suddenly the gorilla began to chase him. Fearing for his life, the man ran out of the cage; out of the zoo, hailed a taxi and hurried home. But as he reached his front door, there stood the white gorilla! The man screamed for help, certain the gorilla would harm him. Suddenly, the gorilla smiled at him, touched his arm and said, “Tag. You’re it.”
     Let’s be clear – I’m not comparing Jesus to a white gorilla!. Or to a favorite childhood game “Hide and seek”.  Rather, to remind us that God never gives up on us. Through Christ, God continues to run and to run – to hound us; to chase us; to call to us; to plead with us – “come down from your tree of fear; come and follow me.” God in Christ has gone beyond the second mile; to do all possible, even giving Jesus to death on a cross, to “touch” us. Yes, in a sense to say to us, “Tag. You’re it. Now it’s your turn.” 

     The Gospels remind us that in his final earthly days, Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem.  Fearless determination and faithfulness.  Today, we face two types of valleys, two different directions to follow. One, the valley of fear; the other, the valley of determination.  Which will you choose?