Sermon preached by Rev. Robert Undercuffler
Hanover Presbyterian Church
18th Street and Baynard Boulevard
Wilmington, Delaware
September 10, 2006
(A disclaimer: This sermon was written to be spoken, which does not always translate into correct grammatical form for a document written to be read.)
"MOUNTAIN RETREAT"
Luke 9:28-43
LET ME TRACE HOW THIS SERMON EVOLVED -
Later in this service Hanover youth will share a special joy - their participation in a youth conference held this summer in the hills of western North Carolina. The name of the Conference Center is MONTREAT. Montreat is a historic Presbyterian Conference Center and draws participants from across the United States - and from other nations as well. During the course of the summer, Montreat sponsors 5 youth conferences. Each conference draws around 1000 youth.
So I was thinking -- MONTREAT -
From whence does that name come?
It's a contraction of MOUNTAIN RETREAT.
So that got me thinking, in turn, about Mountain Top
----experiences; retreats - and advances.
Have you ever been on a Mountain Top? I mean ---
Where you stood in awestruck silence looking out over a valley - with trees richly clothed in fall colors. In the distance, perhaps, mountain peaks dusted by Fall's first snow. "I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
Or you looked out from the top of a soaring skyscraper - and see a city spread-out before you - and way down there people like ants scurrying on their way. "What is man - what is woman that God's cares for us? "Yet, God has made us little less than divine and crowned us with glory and honor.
A Mountain Top experience?
I trace back years to church camp, senior high conference, really, and evening vespers - rolling hills spread out before us - a simple log cross plunged into the ground. And we listened - and sang - "and I heard the voice of the Lord saying whom shall I send and who will go for us.
And I said, here am I, send me."
A Mountain Top experience?
In church. It can be a majestic sanctuary with lovely stained glass windows and a powerful organ -- or a simple, plain clapboard chapel - with a less than tuned piano and a soprano soloist slightly beneath pitch.
And at some point goosebumps - a sense this service is directed to me - the message - the word has my name engraved on it. And you breathe, "The Lord is in this Holy Temple. Be still, and know that God is God.
And I belong to God."
Mountaintop moments can be so vivid -
Carved into our memory ? they are precious memories -
But here's what I've found -
Go back - and you may find that lovely valley filled with suburban developments, shopping malls and parking lots.
Go back - ride to the top of that skyscraper where you felt touched by God - And you may be surrounded by haze and smog.
Go back -- to that lovely vesper spot at church conference center - and you may find burrs and weeds and rotted logs. There's no singing now.
Go back -- to the small clapboard church in the wildwood and the deteriorated roof has caved in. Old hymnbooks, Sunday school leaflets and Bibles scattered and tattered.
And the strong cathedral with beautiful stained glass windows?
The carpets are worn. The tables shaky and the wood veneer peeling - - The ceiling leaks and the plaster flakes.
It's difficult to go back. And to remember.
And to feel - to know - to experience promise and power.
Well - Peter, James and John with Jesus -
went up on a Mountain top to pray.
What a moment! The appearance of Jesus' face changed.
Jesus dazzled.
And Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus.
Moses and Elijah were the grande olde pillars of the Temple -
And there they are - standing with Jesus -
talking with Jesus about the future.
What an awesome moment. Peter, James and John stood bolt upright.
Peter is always good for blurting-out something -
He blurts -- "Master, it's good for us to be here.
"Let's maintain this Holy moment.
"We will build three booths - one for you,
one for Elijah
and one for Moses.
But while he was saying that, a cloud settled on them
and Peter, James and John were terrified ..
and from the cloud a voice, "This is my Son - my chosen one -
listen to him"
Then the vision passed ? and they were alone -
The vision lost to all but memory.
No Elijah or Moses. No Booths. No memorial plaques.
Jesus with Peter, James and John, in silence trudge back down
from the mountain top.
There they are met by a surging crowd -
And a voice from the crowd - "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he's my only child. All at once he has seizures, and he shrieks and convulses and foams at the mouth - and your disciples could do nothing to help my son."
"Bring your son here." And as the distraught father with his son came
the convulsions struck again.
Jesus reached and healed the boy - and gave him back to his father.
And all were astounded at the GREATNESS OF GOD.
Imagine years later - Peter, perhaps - or James or John -
perhaps the three of them together, returned to that mountain top.
And they excitedly talked about the memories -But of course no booths there.
Nor could they find dazzle dust.
No footprints of Jesus - nor of Moses or Elijah.
All gone!
n As ephemeral as our memories of Mountaintops
n and skyscraper views
n and vesper scenes at youth conferences -
n and feelings of majesty and awe and wonder in worship
in simple churches or fine stained-glassed sanctuaries -
All that illumines and inspires for a time - moments - for some days, perhaps -
What ENDURES, however, is to trek down off the mountain with Jesus -
And see him hold out his hand to a distraught parent
and a convulsing child
OR to be with Jesus as he feeds a hungry throng
Or to accompany Jesus as he welcomes those who
have no place to lay their head.
Or, with Jesus, to nurture a motherless/fatherless child.
All this - and more - for we are the body of Christ.
The way Christ is alive today is in and through this body.
RETREATS - AND ADVANCES. To the Mountaintops (and they are many ? and they take many forms) and there we receive illumination and inspiration.
And then FORWARD - MARCH down into the valleys for there is work to be done. Ministry. Caring. Embracing. Welcoming.
This past month I've had the chance to see the heart of Hanover.
Up close.
You are a blessed people.
And you are being a blessing to this neighborhood -
To Wilmington
And to the world.
You've caught the rhythm -MOUNTAIN RETREAT.
AND FORWARD, MARCH.
SO LET THE SONG BUILD-UP -
THE WORK - THE MINISTRY - THE CARE -
INTENSIFY - DEEPEN -- MULTIPLY.
In the name of God who created us, Christ who redeems us
and the Holy Spirit who empowers us. Amen.
