Ayot Mattins and Tewin Evensong 3 Feb 08

Texts:  2 Peter 1. 16-end. (Probably)  Matt. 17. 1-9 (Probably)

Transfiguration and the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Indian adventure

Some of you know, a few weeks ago Usha and I went to India for a holiday. It was a chance to see some of Usha’s relatives and for me to see the country of Usha’s birth. We had an organised tour. Bird-watching and sight-seeing, complete with our own driver and bird guide, taking us from Bangalore to Fort Kochin overland through the state of Kerala and the Western Ghats mountains. There was a lot of travel by carthat took us through many towns and villages in the hills and plains. Kerala is the most Christian part of India with many traditional Portugese Catholic influences as well as other churches such as the ecumenical Church of South India and the Syrian Orthodox church that traces its roots in India to a tradition that the Apostle Thomas took the gospel there.

As we were driving along I kept noticing large bill-board size posters of Jesus outside churches showing him as a glowing figure surrounded by light. In many of these posters the figure of Jesus had a glowing heart with streams of light flowing from it. Inside some of the churches this was also a dominant image in paintings and sculptures. This attractive image of Jesus probably does much to convey Christ in an otherwise varied religious culture that has emphasis on incarnations of various gods. More glory than the crucifix that is so much a part of the western church portrayal of Jesus. So it was here that I encountered and discovered a particular Catholic tradition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Before I say any more about that I want to go back to our reading from Matthew and the scene in Jesus life most often called the Transfiguration, because Jesus’ appearance is changed (transfigured) in the sight of three of his disciples..

Transfiguration

The event of the Transfiguration follows on six days after Simon Peter’s confession of Jesus as “the Christ” and Jesus’ warning to them of his suffering and death. This had not been what they expected or wanted to hear. They had wanted a glorious successor to King David, to kick out the Romans and make a free Israel. So on this day Jesus takes three close friends up the hillside to pray. He seems to have been closer to them than the others and takes them to pray with him. Perhaps he needs the company, troubled by what he has told them. Perhaps he too needs reassurance about what he is embarking on.

We read in Luke’s version of events that the disciples fall asleep, so not very reliable or helpful. Instead Jesus receives other heavenly company; Moses and Elijah. The disciples at some point wake up to see him changed into a dazzling appearance and the two historic figures with him. They hear a voice from heaven “this is my Son...” Perhaps this is for Jesus benefit. Perhaps Jesus needs to hear it again in order to face his coming ordeal. But the voice is also for their benefit and it affirms who Jesus is, to help them through what is to come, and yet they will still be stunned and bewildered by the events. It only makes sense after the resurrection has occurred. 

The transfiguring event is revelation of who Jesus is.

Jesus is more than the Son of David and nationalist leader the disciples might want. The very glory and presence of God is in Jesus. All God’s plans and promises are fulfilled in him, although not what they expect. The later second epistle of Peter, recalls the event. The disciples were able to see His glory and testify to what they see. Something to be trusted, not a clever, made up philosophy. And it is still true. Jesus is more than the prophet of the past, and an executed martyr for his cause. He is more than a guru or rabbi/teacher, Jesus has the presence of God in Him. Jesus is for Jews, for the world and everyone needs him. Every one needs to know about him.

Matthews’s gospel culminates in the final command, to go and make disciples in every land and teach them to be obedient to his teaching. Christian faith is not just a set of teachings and doctrines about Jesus, it is teaching a way of life founded on the Love of Jesus and all that was revealed in him. The church has often been criticised for not actually living the gospel of Jesus, teaching doctrines but not always being true to his actions and call to obedience. Faith has often been a set doctrines to fight over rather than the life of Jesus to be lived.

The “doing and following” command at the end of Matthew’s gospel brings me back to that Catholic tradition I started with.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

Devotion to the Sacred Heart, as we know it, began about the year 1672. On repeated occasions, Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a nun, in France, and during these visions He explained to her the devotion to His Sacred Heart as He wanted people to practice it. He asked to be honoured in the symbol of His Heart of flesh. (I will use one of her prayers later). One of the Catholic Church websites I looked up when I got home had this to say about the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In honouring the Heart of Christ, our homage lingers on the Person of Jesus in the fullness of His love. This love of Christ for us was the moving force of all he did and suffered for us, in Nazareth and on the Cross. When we speak of the Sacred Heart, we mean Jesus showing us His Heart. The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is showing us is the full love of God and the pattern of the love we must have for other people.

The human nature which the Son of God took upon Himself was filled with love and kindness that has never found an equal. He is the perfect model of love of God and neighbour. Although we can never measure up to that love or fully live it we are none the less invited to share His most sacred heart in action in the world.

Conclusion

The image of Jesus so proudly displayed in South India was of a glorious and vibrant Jesus, full of glory and love. It included the great Catholic tradition of The Sacred Heart of Jesus. These images take us back to the glory of Jesus in the transfiguration, his suffering and great compassion for humanity. It is about reaching beyond our frailties and divisions and recalls us to live as closely as possible in that same love without boundaries, because of Him, and become in tune with his will for our individual and collective humanity.

The church should be the people of the Heart of Jesus. Often it has not been.

May we in our day, place and time, do what we can to be as true to that image and tradition as we possibly can.

Amen

The Prayer of St Margaret Mary Alacoque..

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, to Thee I consecrate and offer up my person and my life, my actions, trials, and sufferings, that my entire being may henceforth only be employed in loving, honouring and glorifying Thee. This is my irrevocable will, to belong entirely to Thee, and to do all for Thy love, renouncing with my whole heart all that can displease Thee.
I take Thee, O Sacred Heart, for the sole object of my love, the protection of my life, the pledge of my salvation, the remedy of my frailty and inconstancy, the reparation for all the defects of my life, and my secure refuge at the hour of my death.
Be Thou, O Most Merciful Heart, my justification before God Thy Father, and screen me from His anger which I have so justly merited.
I fear all from my own weakness and malice, but placing my entire confidence in Thee, O Heart of Love, I hope all from Thine infinite Goodness. Annihilate in me all that can displease or resist Thee. Imprint Thy pure love so deeply in my heart that I may never forget Thee or be separated from Thee.
I beseech Thee, through Thine infinite Goodness, grant that my name be engraved upon Thy Heart, for in this I place all my happiness and all my glory, to live and to die as one of Thy devoted servants.
Amen.
Another prayer in the same tradition..

Then say to the Heart of Jesus, and to your own heart
What a difference between hearts! Between Your Heart, O Jesus, and mine!
O my Jesus, grant that my heart might become like yours by grace. Let our hearts be no longer two, but one – one faithful, devout, gracious, charitable, and holy heart;
This O my Savior, shall henceforth be my whole study and endeavor – to entertain nothing in my heart but what finds place in yours, namely humility, purity, patience, fortitude, charity, and love. Nothing but Jesus and His Love; my heart is no longer mine: it entirely belongs to Jesus.
We pray that in our lives we may live and display a love like Jesus. That our lives may be attractive to others so that they feel and know His love in us.
We pray for the world at large that needs His love.
For people to give and receive forgiveness for past wrongs.
For people of different races and cultures to find their common humanity
For people to receive all the assistance and medicines they need, irrespective of their status in life.

Sacred Heart of Love, send the beams of thy love to touch every person and place that this may be so.

Amen