Three Tents (2012-03-04, Lent)

This is my homily for 4 March 2012 (2nd Sunday Lent). I am a Catholic chaplain in Teaneck at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) campus and for the FDU Newman Catholic Association. We celebrate Catholic Mass - during Fall and Spring semester - every Sunday Evening (7:30 p.m.) at the Interfaith Chapel, 842 River Road, Teaneck, NJ.

[_01_] We have just read the Gospel of the Transfiguration, taking place after Peter, James, and John follow Jesus to the mountaintop.

At the peak, Peter suggests a memorial, a little monument, the construction of 3 tents, 3 shelters, or in other biblical translations, 3 booths.

This would relate to the Jewish-Exodus tent as a sacred place for the tablets of the 10 Commandments and the tent as the dwelling place, the “mobile home” during the Exodus. The tent – this collapsible shelter - recalls God’s presence.

At the moment, however, the Lord has a different idea from Peter about how to survive – spiritually and physically – on the mountain and elsewhere.

[_02_] Going into the actual wild or wilderness – or to the practice field or track in winter – what do we need to survive?

Perhaps, we wish we had an extra layer or two …or longer arms … Or, more strength. Or, we simply would rather be indoors.

[_03_] One of our Lenten practices – our “fasting” – might be to decrease – or eliminate – this comparison … or this regret about our current GPS satellite location.

After all, Jesus invites us into the desert as because of who we are NOW not because of last season’s GPA, statistics, or other things we may be able to carry or “prove.”

And, our physical transformation, in academics – sports – music – the arts – is not only about what we have already done but what we are willing to do in the future.

[_04_] In the Gospel of the Transfiguraton, Jesus is changed – transformed – as an anticipation – future prophecy of his suffering, death, and resurrection.

And, what makes this transformation possible is Jesus’ dedication to God’s will, God’s plan.

And, he invites Peter, James and John – and you and me – to consider God’s will, God’s plan in our lives as well.

[__05_] What do we need to survive on the mountain, the field, the wilderness? Spring practice? Midterms? Surely we need more than a tent, more than a uniform …more than the simple memorization of facts and formulae.

In other words, our transformation depends on more than what we currently lug in an L.L. Bean bag.

We also need – in the wilderness –
• Food, water
• Warmth, Fire, Light

Where will we find these things?

[_06-Food, Water_] We need the food, water of our studies, of our friendships.
What might be less nourishing on this journey is the way in which we nourish ourselves or consume ourselves with jealousy, envy, comparing ourselves to teammates, classmates, and others.

In the community of our peers, we might recall that we all need the same advice, same practice, same discipline. No need for any extra “peer pressure” from within.

And, in a community of believers, we might do the same. Each of us is a sinner in need of repentance before God. Even those who seem to get through life more easily are sinners in need of repentance.

In those apparently slim backpacks might be some very dense objects, heavy burdens.

[_07-Warmth_] And, we need warmth to survive in the wilderness, on the mountain.

Suggesting the 3 tents, we might imagine Peter wants to go in from out of the cold.

And, in this traditional-religious sense, Peter has the memory of dwelling in tents during the 40 years of the Exodus in the desert.

During most of the Exodus the people had few possessions.

And, their food and water came from the miraculous manna and water from the rock. Their light and warmth was from God telling them where to turn.

[_08_] And, our food and water also comes from Jesus’ body and blood in the Eucharist, our light is from his grace.

Jesus – in this Gospel – also reminds us to place our trust in him for light and for warmth.

In some climate conditions – or difficulties at work, in the home, family, the dorm room – we cannot necessarily produce our own light or our own warmth.

Some situations may be unchangeable by our own will. This would be similar to the lighting of dry firewood in a very damp campground.

In other words, we are asked not be too concerned about where to put up these tents.

Rather, simply, invite the Lord into our rooms, homes, our tents ..and he will be our food and light and fire. [_fin_]