2 Peter 1:16-21

Epiphany 4 – Year A
Epiphany Last - Transfiguration

2 Peter 1:16-21

Parallelism is alive and well.

Verse 16: "Cleverly devised myths" are caused by and result in verse 20: "One's own interpretation."

Verse 17: "Beloved" becomes visible and is brought forth in the presence of verse 21: "Men and women moved by the Holy Spirit."

These are the direct lines that end up enhancing or multiplying either the harmful or beneficial aspects of life.

When we cross these parallels we get one-way lines that reduce the harmful. For instance, cleverly devised myths can be countered by either end of the other parallel, folks who know they are beloved or a community moved by a Holy Spirit. Likewise, folks stuck on their own interpretation find their limit in belovedness and community that always moves folks into situations where they can no longer get away with their little world-view.

In both cases, however, Beloved individuals/communities where the Holy Spirit is present must give evidence of themselves. Without such standing firm and persistent, the clever-myth purveyors and idiosyncratic interpreters will lead the world in circles.

What have you seen of the inclusive and expansive presence of Beloved Jesus that would lead you to consider yourself and others as beloved? Your eyewitness report is of the utmost importance. Without your witness, the clever-mythologizers of this world will pull more wool over more eyes. Have we learned nothing over the last generation from those who stay on message to the point of causing great harm by hanging on to their myth and interpretation in the face of contrary facts?