February 6, 2005

Thin Places

by Julianne Stokstad

Lent and Easter come early this year and so the season of Epiphany has been cut short. The Christmas wreath isn't down from the gate here and now we hear about the disciples up on a mountain with Jesus. This Sunday marks a transition in Jesus' life, as he shifts his focus towards Jerusalem. Transfiguration Sunday is a celebration of the gift of the Divine Presence. Matthew writes, "And he was transfigured before them and his face shone like the sun and his garments became white as light." Whatever are we to do with this strange mystical vision reported in all the synoptic gospels?

They were up on a mountain top and in the Bible it is on mountain tops where the air is thin and mysterious luminous clouds appear and disappear that God is encountered. Mountains, bright clouds, fire and water are elements of the natural world through which God is revealed. I love it that God is revealed in creation because many of us know God through the natural world. Here God's glory is revealed in a human person.

What are we to do with mountain top experiences in our own lives? I contend they are more common than most of us would admit in public. God light is what we call those wonderful shafts of light shining through breaks in a stormy sky that often bring my thoughts to heaven or a powerful thunder storm where lightning flashes hint of a brighter reality moving through the darkness or an eagle soaring above in a perfect blue sky. All these powerful images have been mountain top experiences told me with great clarity and wonder. They are numinous experiences pointing to something more; all are thin places.

The concept of thin places is found in Celtic literature from Ireland, England and Scotland. A thin place is where the membrane between God and humans becomes especially permeable and people become aware of God's presence. Marcus Borg explains thin spaces are where two levels of reality meet or intersect.

We all know that there is much more going on in each of us than meets the eye. As a pastor, I know that in each of us is a soul that knows God. I know that each of us is treasured and cherished in God's love. The Celtic vision has two worlds, one visible and the other invisible which flow naturally in and out of each other. They believe each one of us is an earthen vessel holding unique treasure of our soul hidden inside. In their view, the world of the soul is seen through a veiled opening, a thin place, that can only briefly be glimpsed. This inner world of soul and spirit is shadowed and hidden. John O'Donohue in Anam Cara writes "There is no direct, permanent or public access to the divine." (p. 80)

Mountain top experiences, holy moments, experiences of thin places are private experiences but once someone has had an experience of one, it is not ever forgotten. Sometimes such an experience is at a special place: I found one at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Other times, they are experienced at events, thin spaces are often experienced at times of dying when the boundary between our world and the next is crossed. Or just in an ordinary day: Thomas Merton wrote powerfully about an experience of oneness with all the people of a busy corner and all having their connection in God. All these are examples of thin place. Experiences of standing in the presence of God cannot be put into words. When we try to describe or explain or de-mystify such experiences, they are always lessened. Maybe that is why Jesus told them not to tell anyone what had happened on the mountain.

So it is so with the holiness of God, we sing, we pray, we preach about the holiness but all that only points the way. At the Transfiguration, the three disciples looked through a thin place and saw Jesus differently, his divinity revealed. I've always wondered if Jesus changed in that moment or if it was the disciples who changed? It matters much more to me, if the disciples changed because that gives me hope it is possible for everyone who believes to see the holiness of God in this world.

From my experience, holiness is found wherever God is found, which of course is everywhere. But our human awareness and intention make a big difference, which is why church is important where we all come to praise and worship God. God is knocking at the edge of our awareness all the time, but we usually aren't aware or paying attention. Distractions cloud our vision. Ignorance and preconceived ideas blind us to God's presence. We move so fast, busy with hurry and worry that we can't see what is in front of our eyes.

In church, our intentions are focused on God's holiness especially in our sacraments. When we come to the table, we enter a thin place. It is possible to miss the offering of God's holiness especially since there is no one way, no right way to understand what the meal means. Communion is understood in many different ways. It is everything from a nice welcoming meal to symbolic remembrance to a true mystical union between God and God's people. However you come, this I do know, communion is holy ground.

Psalm 27, sometimes called the Psalm of thin spaces, says "Come, my heart says, seek his face. Your face, Lord, do I seek." In this time of communion, this great gift of refreshment and holiness is here for you, but you must consciously choose to be open and be willing to receive God's holiness and presence. Come, wait and listen. We are invited to be the Body of Christ. Come and stand in the presence of God.

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