Our readings for this Sunday, the Second Sunday of Lent are here. (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022524.cfm).
Again, these are my notes and interpretations of Fr Dennis Dillon SJ’s poem from the 10AM Mass on February 25, 2018, an undated daily Mass homily on the Transfiguration, and the 8:30AM Mass on March 1, 2015.
______
The poems Fr Dennis references in 2018 & 2015 are:
Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel as sung by Paul Robeson (25 Feb 2018 10AM Mass)
Adirondack Moosehead by Jeffrey Harrison (1 Mar 2015 8:30AM)
In 2018, we reflected on —
- I only captured the one poem/lyrics, without notes at the time. … 🙂 or they are “somewhere.”
- This spiritual is sung and choreographed in Alvin Ailey’s Revelations, an American classic in the dance repertoire. I remember one year Transfiguration was observed during the week at a daily Mass (or a Transfiguration gospel reading was the reading of the day), and Dennis happened to be the celebrant. During the homily described his understanding, of course, some theological matters in the long tradition of theology but also how in his Jesuit time in New York City , he had the opportunity to see Alvin Ailey’s Revelations. (It premiered in 1960 when Alvin Ailey was 29. !!)
- What I remember is D2 offering that after seeing these luminous dancers of the soulful, rich music — he left feeling like he could dance like that, even as he knew he couldn’t! He felt like he floated up the subway stairs and could have danced down the New York City streets back to the Jesuit residence.
- That sense of Transfiguration always stuck with me — the feeling of the illumination of our souls which, if even for a moment, outshines the limitations of our bodies.
- Here’s a link to one of the “Daniel” scene performances in Alvin Ailey’s Revelations. It is at about 3:30 time of the full 1/2 hour-ish choreography — well worth watching!!
In 2015, D2 reflected —
It is good to remember in the Genesis reading of today that
- in the tribes around Israel at the time of Abraham, child sacrifice was common.
- it was used as an (extreme by our standards) expression of sacrificing the best or first fruits, animals, or other possessions (recalling that children, like women, have been considered “property” for much of the history of humanity) to gods or God.
- so, in that context, we can say that God, in this story and example, is very clearly saying “No. This is what I am NOT calling you to do.”
Likewise, in the Transfiguration,
- Jesus and God reveal another side of themselves to us (after having long retired the flaming bushes and overwhelming Presence in favor of God-with-us humility) … which raises the issue
- How do we (each and communally) know God? And how do we allow for a change in how we know God?
This being surprised by God — can we accept and love a new facet of our Loving God? In the poem, Adirondack Moosehead by Jeffrey Harrison, he takes on this notion of quiet presence and potential for change … and transfiguration.
- (rl adds colloquially — Dandelions can be a “weed” or even like a prophecy of nature on planned, manicured lawns. Most deciduous trees surrender all their leaves as part of an eventual complete regeneration of the tree itself — one tree, completely different and constantly changing manifestation throughout the year.)
So some possible reflections for us are: Who is God for the author of this poem? Who and how for each of us? Who is God to me now and how do I respond? In what faith will I respond to the next turn in the road?
Lent is the “changing of the heart-mind” season, a metanoia.
Our image this is week is James B Janknegt’s Transfiguration oil painting from 2001. I love it for this week because of its celebration and the dancing like poses of Moses and Elijah — very fitting for the Alvin Ailey Revelations reflection of Dennis Dillon, SJ!
The Surest Sign 