The First Creed

Gospel: Mark 9: 2-10

"It is good for us to be here." This statement at the Transfiguration is the first creed of a Christian.  It represents for us the belief that life is greater than death, existence preferable to non-existence.  No matter our situation in life, to live represents hope.  It represents being in God's presence on earth no matter where we are or what we are facing.  It means seeing the face of God in loving relationship with other people.  

But there are many whose existence on earth is unbearably awful.  They have experienced horrible cruelty and exploitation, grinding poverty, and unspeakable violence.  This creed also represents our commitment as a Christian to a life of justice and charity, a commitment to make this world a good place to live for all people of all times and places.  It is our commitment to come down from Mount Tabor and to provide healing, mercy, and loving kindness to a world so that it might be good for all.

It is easy to see the world as good on Transfiguration day.  It is harder to see in an impoverished slum or a bleak gulag.  God is present in both, and it is for us to take the glory of Tabor to all parts of the world, to transform the ugly into beauty, the cruel into love, and despair into hope.  Each Sunday we experience Tabor at Mass, and each Sunday we are sent back out to bring that transformation into the world.