Several weeks ago, at a Memorial Service held to celebrate the life of Joan Kolumber, Joan's son-in-law read a fantastic poem written long ago by an African-American poet by the name of James Weldon Johnson. Some of the imagery is striking, most especially in connection with today's Gospel lesson. The poem is called "Go Down Death". Listen:

How many times over the course of the years I remember being present with a precious child of God who has come to the final breaths of her or his life's journey. And often in those closing moments, I've noticed fading eyes suddenly open and look up, and seem to brighten as though seeing some wonderful sight hidden from the rest of us. Others have told me of similar experiences, of loved ones whose often pain-etched faces have become suddenly peaceful as they seemed to look up and catch sight of something far more glorious than life.

If you know of such experiences, then perhaps you can more deeply appreciate what happened that night on the mountain long ago. Jesus is nearing the end of his three-year ministry. Already the seeds have been sown that will lead to his death. His opponents are growing in number. Some are plotting assassination.

And as he did whenever he faced critical moments and decisions in his life, Jesus that night wanders up into the hills to pray. Peter and James and John come with him, though they do not realize the full significance of the times. They wait while Jesus pours out his heart to his Father.

As you reflect upon the poem about Sister Caroline, and as you think about the experiences you have shared with loved ones coming to the end of their journey, I wonder if you are struck by the similarity expressed in today's Gospel reading:

This familiar story from Luke 9 - and reported as well in Matthew 17 and Mark 9 - is commonly called The Transfiguration of Jesus. It is the last of the Epiphany stories in which God's glory is revealed in and through Jesus. It is a story of great theological importance, ranking right up there with the visit of the Wise Men and the Baptism of Jesus. The transfiguration helps us to better understand the role of Jesus as Savior of the world.

But sometimes all the theology that goes along with accounts like these keeps us from the human dimension of the story. I find myself so very powerfully drawn to those words,

The very first prayer I ever learned was God bless mommy…and daddy…and sister…and brother…and Debbie the dog that tried to bite me and went "to live on a farm" for her bad behavior… and just about everybody and anything else I could think of to include. Then came the childhood classic:

Now that I'm an adult it strikes me that's a rather awful prayer to inflict upon an innocent little kid as he's trying to go to sleep at night!

The first mealtime grace I ever learned was:

It wasn't until I was a teenager that I learned another, more modern version of that grace:

What are the prayers you learned to pray as you were growing up?

Our Christian culture seems to teach a progression of prayer, beginning with the little bedtime and mealtime jingles before moving up to the more eloquent prayers like The Lord's Prayer. But beyond that point, many adults have trouble with prayer. Some of us inappropriately latch onto prayer as though it were our personal tool for manipulating the world and getting our own way. Others of us simply discard prayer. We don't know the words to say. We're not able to find the time. We wonder what, if anything, the benefit of prayer might be.

But today, the Bible challenges us with a deeper understanding, a deeper dimension of prayer than anything we may have ever considered before.

Could it be that the ultimate purpose of prayer is to help us see things human beings cannot see with their own eyes? Could it be that prayer is designed as a kind of spiritual telescope through which we can see over into heaven?

You see, whether at death as with Sister Caroline, or in the midst of life as with Jesus, the Bible shows us that prayer can give us a glimpse into eternity where we can see our present moment in light of God's forever.

Now, you know the rest of the story in Luke 9. The disciples see this change in Jesus' appearance. In fact, they become part of the experience itself as they see his clothes become dazzling white, and two men shrouded in heaven's glory speaking to Jesus. Why, its Moses! And Elijah! And they are speaking to Jesus about what will happen in the days to come.

And Peter and James and John don't have a clue as to how to respond to this incredible transfiguration, so they wait until its over and then Peter - who never lacks for a stupid idea - pipes up, "Wow! What a great experience! Let's build a shrine here! No..make that THREE shrines - one for Jesus, one for Moses, one for Elijah!"

I call this the WOW! Syndrome. And we need to get over it if we are to grow spiritually.

Some bright soul once observed, "Isn't it amazing how many important historical events took place right next door to a gift shop!"

And isn't it amazing how many powerful spiritual moments in life are marked by shrines, and towers, and cathedrals. I believe that one of the strongest human temptations is the temptation to kill the living spirit of a personal brush with heaven, by memorializing, and institutionalizing, and theologizing it to death.

I think this is why we so often reduce prayer to formulas and poems. We memorialize what ought to be a living experience! And when we do, we cause prayer to lose its power as a window into heaven!

Suddenly, a cloud touches down on the mountain, surrounding the disciples and Jesus. A voice from within the cloud speaks: "Shut up. This is my Son, the Chosen. Listen to him."

I added the shut up. But I think its inferred in the text.

You see, to live as a Christian requires us to look into the heart of God and to listen to the Word of God. We are invited to see things and hear things that no one else can. We are given the chance to see ourselves, to see others, and to see our world from heaven's perspective. We are given the opportunity to hear God's take on things. And then to live appropriately in response.

And that includes the very personal difficulties and challenges you may be facing right now. Some of us are bearing very heavy burdens of sickness, and family problems, and pressure at work, and difficulty with relationships. It may be that you've read all the books, consulted all the experts, done everything in your power to figure it out by yourself.

But today, I want to invite you to seek God's help.

Pray to be given heaven's perspective. Ask to see your situation as God sees it.

Listen to what Jesus teaches you about facing such times as you do.

Respond in faith by doing what Jesus says to do.

But don't pray only for yourself. Look and listen as well for those things that are larger than your personal life.

For instance, just recently, Connie Clark, a member of our church and the Loudon County Circuit Court Clerk shared with a group I'm working with some troubling information affecting the young people in our own county. Did you know that between 1996 and 1997 - in one year's time - criminal cases filed against juveniles in our county increased from 767 to 862? Nearly one hundred more cases in just twelve months. Where are the increases? In the number of assaults, juvenile delinquency, alcohol and drug use. How sad this is, and how broken must be the heart of God.

Meanwhile, the teen pregnancy rate in Loudon County is almost 12 percent, and as bad as that is, its half of what it was before some pregnancy programs were instituted in the schools a year or two ago. And in a related issue, nearly 30 % of the pregnant women in our county receive inadequate prenatal care. The infant mortality rate is 12%.

These are some of the tragic realities we face together as a community. What can Christians do to make a difference?

Perhaps more today than ever, there need to be people who are willing to take society's problems with them to the mountaintop. You and I can look unto the hills from whence cometh our help. We can seek out heaven's view, listen to what Jesus says, and then do something to help. And, in fact, if you sense a calling to help work at this issue, come and talk with me about it.

As Jesus faced the question of how his life could bring redemption to others, his first step was to go up into the mountains to pray.

On Wednesday of this week, the Season of Lent begins. I want to challenge you to use Lent this year as a time to renew your adventure in prayer. I want to invite you to look across - to the other side. And with what you begin to see, to go and serve the Lord!