<p><em>We often struggle with what to do next when we have a religious experience. Do we tell the world? Or at least our close friends and family? It is likely they will not understand. This weeks reflection provides no easy answers but instead reminds us that Love has a special place just for us a place we did not earn but that we are accountable to share for the good of our world.</em></p><div class=oldwebkit>&nbsp;</div><div class=oldwebkit><p><strong>March 5 2023: Second Sunday of Lent Year A</strong></p><p>Genesis 12:1-4a</p><p>Psalm 33:4-5 18-19 20 22</p><p>2 Timothy 1:8b-10</p><p>Matthew 17:1-9</p><p></p><h3>Transfigured: Now What?</h3><p><em>A reflection by Marianne Seggerman</em></p><p>When I read the first reading for this week I was greatly alarmed. Was God giving permission to the Israelites to go and march into the land currently occupied by the Canaanites? In light of the arc of Middle Eastern history up to the present day it was with a great sense of relief when I discovered that the actual passage used in the Second Week of Lent was not tainted with such an imperialistic impulse. The first reading lays out a basic tenant of the Jewish faith the covenant whereby God tells the people of Israel that He is their God (the Jewish God is perceived as masculine) and that they are Hi people.</p><p>I recently started watching a program on PBS called Vienna Blood already in its third season. The series is set in the beginning of twentieth century Austria. One of two main characters happens to be Jewish and from his encounters with other characters it is possible to see how with a madman leader like Hitler and a severe economic downturn something like the Final Solution would be possible. Even the other main character who respects admires and genuinely likes the Jewish man is embarrassed among his peers at the depth of their friendship. From other characters there is genuine hostility and it is perfectly acceptable. All the peoples of the earth shall find you blessed. That may be prophetic but one whose time has not yet come to pass. This passage is neither a license for colonization nor a denial of antisemitism. No the true meaning is that there is a special place in Gods heart for the people of Israel.</p><p>It would be a mistake to interpret the second reading as suggesting that since Jesus was raised from the dead there was no longer any need to do good works Jesus had done it all. In fact the first verse says to use the power Jesus has released to do good works. Instead this reading posits that a transformation had occurred and that humanitys action was not the reason it was Jesus doing.</p><p>The Gospel for this week is noted enough to have a name (once again I get a famous gospel passage) its called the Transfiguration and I hadnt a clue as to what it all meant. So gentle readers I googled for commentary. What I got was this Moses represents the Law and Elijah the Prophets. So and these are now my thoughts Jesus simplified the Law and fulfilled the words of the Prophets. And God approved of it all.</p><p>When Peter started suggesting tents I thought of setup for Norwalk Pride which occurs every June on the grounds of a mansion open to visitors. Some vendors own their tents but most rent from the community center running the event. A host of volunteers open the tents the cover goes over and then one person at each corner pulls to open. The ties get fastened and then the vendors who rented the booth are ready to open their boxes and finish their setup. If Peters idea got any traction it would take all of them to get the tents raised. And who would have visited the tents? What would their merchandise have been? For Moses and the Law a guidebook for how to be a good person: For Elijah prophecy as a conduit to a closer association with God? For Jesus all that and more.</p><p>I still dont get why Jesus told them to keep quiet about what they just saw at least until after the Resurrection. Well someone had to talk right? And I dont think it was Jesus.</p></div><div class=oldwebkit>&nbsp;</div><div class=oldwebkit><div class=mobile-full><img class=mobile-full src=https://www.dignityusa.org/sites/default/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/images/uploads/static/seggerman_1_6c83ae804a23394d58e2e58f5ede9f18_d8b9f5b39f86e017a9ac8cf6b008434a.png alt= width=166 vspace=0 hspace=0></div><div class=mobile-full><p><em><strong>Marianne Seggerman</strong> joined the chapter of Dignity New Haven around 30 years ago. That chapter is no longer alas but she continues to attend the biannual conference. In her day job she is a computer programmer living (and for the moment working) in Westport Connecticut. She is in a long-term relationship with a person raised Jewish who converted to the Mormon faith.</em></p><p><em></em></p></div></div><p style=text-align:center><a class=btn btn-primary href=https://www.dignityusa.org/civicrm/mailing/subscribe>Subscribe to Breath of the Spirit</a></p>