Servant’s Heart — From the desk of a deacon
One of the meanings of transfiguration is a great change of form or appearance.
What transfigurations are taking place for us?
The earth is in transformation for us. In the Northern Hemisphere, it has gone from autumn to winter, and we are cozy in our homes while waiting for the coming of spring with hope for new life and rebirth.
For ourselves it may mean a change in our families with births, marriages, or deaths. It may mean a new career, home, wardrobe, or hairstyle.
What does it mean for the Church? The old ways of “doing” church no longer seem to work. People do not go to church because they feel obligated or it’s the thing to do on a Sunday morning. Society has changed and the younger generations no longer join service groups, philanthropic organizations, or churches.
Many churches cling to the old ways and bemoan they no longer attract young people. Other churches try out the latest fade or gimmick and hope this will attract people, especially the young. These may work for a while but have no lasting impact. Some churches ask the young people what they want to see in the church, which they try for a while but with limited effect.
What are we to do? What are we called to do? Why are we so scared of change?
Maybe the church of today must die in order to be reborn. Is this what we fear? We are afraid the church may not look like what we want when we get to the other side? Nevertheless, this is what transformation is all about. The church as we know it is not working. We need to change but fear what the change will mean. The answer is prayer: praying for the Holy Spirit to lead us. Prayer for the strength to do the work we have to do. Prayer that we can accept the change and move with the Spirit.
Pray that the transfiguration is in us, moving with the Holy Spirit.
