Deacon Ed Shoener,
Second Sunday of Lent, Year C, (Mental Illness Mentioned)
Look at the painting above the bishop’s chair – front and center here in the Cathedral. It is the transfiguration by Raphael. The original is at the Vatican.
The painting portrays the Gospel story of the transfiguration that we just heard. And an interesting feature is that is that it also portrays the next story in the Gospel. The painting is really two stories – the transfiguration on the top, and the very next biblical story on the bottom.
First let’s look at the top – the Transfiguration - Christ shining like the sun and his clothes white as light. He is conversing with Moses and Elijah, great prophets of ancient Israel.
At his feet are Peter, James, and John. Christ took them with him so that they could see and hear God the Father proclaim that Christ is his Son.
When they became afraid at seeing all this, Jesus comforts them and tells them to “Rise and do not be afraid”
Now, about the very next story, the story portrayed in the bottom half of the picture.
It is the story of a young boy who is described as an “epileptic”. In those days the term “epileptic” was a term that was used to describe a broad range of symptoms of physical and mental illness.
His father brought the boy to the disciples for healing, but the disciples could not heal him. So the father brought the boy to Jesus, and he was healed by Jesus.
Afterwards the disciples asked Christ why they were unable to heal the boy, and Christ said it was because of their little faith. He told them that if they had faith even the size of a seed, they would be able to move mountains.
So just after witnessing the transfiguration, after that great mystical moment and hearing the voice of God - when confronted with the difficulties and sorrows of life, the disciple’s faith became weak.
Sounds familiar doesn’t it. It feels familiar.
We all experience this – we have moments of great consolation when we feel close to God – but then, but then – there are problems and suffering – feelings of desolation.
We were on the top of the mountain – and now we are down at the bottom. And our faith becomes weak - we can’t do what we want – and we ask God why.
We remember when things were better – but now you are sad and adrift, life seems devoid of meaning and nobody seems to understand.
You had a wonderful marriage – but you lost your spouse to the ravages of disease and suffering, and you’re now left to live without the love of your life, you are so tired – and you ask: please God; I don’t understand why this happened.
You have a serious mental illness, mood disorder, or addiction. We can be surrounded by people yet feel all alone because of the stigma surrounding mental illness. Where are you God?
Like the disciples after the transfiguration, we ask - why can’t life be the way we want? At those moments it is all right to question God.
Argue with God, challenge him. Beg God as Jesus did in the garden: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me”.
But when we ask these questions – we need to look and listen for God’s answers. Because God does speak and act.
When we are in Church it can be a transfiguration like experience. Look at the splendor of this Cathedral. He speaks to us at every Mass in the words of scripture, and He is with us in the Eucharist.
But, after we leave this Church, when we come down from the mountain, so to speak, God will still be with us. In the small and ordinary events our life – perhaps an unexpected encounter with a friend or a good word when we need it.
God speaks to us in the good times and in the tough times.
We will hear the word of God in Church not only at a wedding, but also at a funeral. God speaks to us at the birth of a child, but also at the death of a child.
So, as we reflect on the challenges each one of use are facing in life – we can contemplate Raphael’s painting to help us face these challenges.
The bottom half, shaped like a box and in darkness. So often that is how things seem to us – our life seems dark; we are boxed in and don’t know how to get out.
But the disciples are pointing to Christ – at the top of the painting – to the transfigured Christ in splendor and light.
That is where the Church points us – to Christ.
Christ is always our Hope.
Amen