Dear St. Paul’s Family,
Among the many commercials from the Super Bowl a few weeks ago, one that caught my eye was for the new 2011 Volkswagon Jetta. It was unusual for many reasons. Of the 30-second spot, we only saw the entire car for a few seconds. We saw none of the dashboard, nor did we see it performing on the road. Instead, the commercial spent most of the time focusing on the leg room and spaciousness of the back seat.
To underscore how much room there is, producers brought in Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor. Or, more accurately, they used computer spliced footage of them from one of their dancing routines in “Singin’ in the Rain.” For most of the commercial, Gene and Donald turned the back half of the car into a vacuous dance floor, swinging and high-stepping their way into choreographic bliss.
Volkswagon is not the first company to use footage of dead celebrities to hawk a product. Fred Astaire appeared in a Dirt Devil ad in 1997. Paula Abdul danced with Groucho Marx, then Cary Grant poured her a Diet Coke. John Wayne appeared in a spot for Coors beer, and in another ad, Steve McQueen pitched a Ford Mustang. In the mid-90’s, Elvis Presley made an appearance for Pizza Hut, and Audrey Hepburn did a commercial for the Gap in 2006.
Commercials like these always generate a bit of controversy when they air. It does seem like an injustice to use the post-mortem image and celebrity of a pop-culture icon without their permission, and it goes against our instinct of letting the deceased rest in peace. But there is also no mistaking the impact of these messages. By recasting familiar characters in our past into an emerging narrative in the present, we are motivated to try something new. The past adds credibility to the unfamiliar, when the ancient and the future collide.
I’m quite certain that the gospel writers never filmed a commercial. But they were awfully good at making a pitch. So when it came time to draw people’s attention to the turning point in Jesus’ life, when he would go from mere miracle healer and sage teacher to Savior for the World, they decided to solicit the services of some pop-culture icons.
On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus appeared before the disciples in blazing white glory, surrounded by the two celebrities that would have garnered the most attention in their time: Moses and Elijah. Though hundreds and thousands of years separated these biblical greats, they made a triumphant appearance together, in one divine fusion of time, signaling to the world that something new, bold, and exciting was about to happen.
This was way better than any Super Bowl commercial, by far.
Except the message seemed to be unclear to the disciples. Unlike a good commercial, where it is very clear what product is being pitched, Jesus was a bit cryptic about the meaning of this moment.
Peter tried first: “Lord, it is good for us to be here! Let’s pitch some tents and set up camp! Let’s stay here forever! Just imagine: We could create a holy wonderland here, setting up booths and rides and charging admission. The public would clamor for a chance to see you three! Forget Vegas and Branson – this will be the next great tourist attraction! Let’s never leave!”
But Jesus said, “No. We’re not staying.”
So the disciples flipped to the other option. “Great! Then let’s get off this mountain and broadcast this news to the world! I’ll get on the phone with CNN. Oprah will love this story! I bet there’s a TMZ photographer already hiding behind that rock! Between Facebook and Twitter, the world will know about this in no time!
But Jesus said, “No. We’re not telling.”
Which left the disciples – and leaves us – in a bit of a quandary. What exactly was Jesus pitching here? What was this commercial for? It is not until the very end that Jesus gives the tagline: "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
The message was clear: not “go” and not “stay,” but “watch.” Watch for what happens next. Stay alert and sober. Don’t let yourself be distracted by the chaos you are about to encounter, and don’t be surprised if things get messier before they get better. Stay focused on the task at hand, and keep your antenna raised heavenward. Because something amazing is about to happen. Something you’ve never seen before. The Son of Man is going to be raised from the dead, and you’d better not miss it.
And then, in an instant, the 30-second commercial is over, and the regular programming resumes. Except the show we will return to after this Sunday will the be the story of Lent, when Jesus takes his last, long march to Jerusalem to face his fate and assume his destiny as the Messiah for the world.
Transfiguration Sunday is a pivotal moment in our liturgical year, and it is an important transition for all of us, to prepare our hearts and our minds for the wonder, drama, and passion of the forty days of Lenten preparation. Join us this Sunday as we ascend the mountaintop and hear this familiar story once again. And let’s come down together, watching with open eyes.
Grace and Peace,
Magrey
The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA 51012
Ph: 712-225-3955
http://www.cherokeespumc.org
Matthew 17:1-9
1 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.
2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.
3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.
4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!"
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear.
7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid."
8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT THIS SUNDAY
I will be sharing some exciting news this Sunday about something happening at St. Paul’s this summer. This is of such significance that you will not want to hear about it second hand, so be here live when I announce it during the service.
PANCAKE RACE!
Attention, all apron-clad runners of Cherokee! It’s time for the third-annual Great Cherokee Pancake Race and Shrove Tuesday Service on Tuesday, March 8 at 5:30 pm. Registration forms and brochures are available in the church office, and are due by Friday, March 4 along with a $10 registration fee. More information is available at www.pancakerace.com. Let’s make it another great year of fun and fundraising for the two local food pantries!
BESTSELLING AUTHOR AT MORNINGSIDE
Author A.J. Jacobs will present a lecture based on his best-selling book “The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17, in the Yockey Family Community Room in Morningside College’s Olsen Student Center, 3609 Peters Ave. Jacobs is editor-at-large for Esquire magazine and author of three New York Times bestsellers, including “The Year of Living Biblically,” a chronicle of his yearlong effort to obey all the rules and guidelines he found in the Bible. In addition to his books, Jacobs has written for The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly and New York magazine. He also is a periodic commentator on National Public Radio. Jacobs will be speaking as part of Morningside’s annual Goldstein Lecture, organized by Dr. Jessica deVega. The lecture is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Department of Religious Studies at Morningside College, the Jewish Federation of Sioux City and Congregation Beth Shalom.
YOUTH AND FAMILY BOWLING NIGHT MARCH 6
All youth grades 7 – 12 are invited, along with their families, to Cherokee Bowl on Sunday night, March 6. The cost is $8 per person for unlimited bowling between 3:00-5:00, and the cost includes shoes. Desserts will be provided, and bring money for drinks. We’ll also be giving out the full spring schedule of youth activities.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!
We look forward to this year’s exciting Vacation Bible School! It promises to be full of fun, love, and inspiration for all our kids grades Pre-K to 5th Grade. It will take place from June 13-17, and we are looking for volunteers to fill numerous opportunities. Please contact Korrie Waldner if you are interested in working with the kids in any capacity this summer. Your assistance will help make this another great event!
JUDI AND DAVID KLEE CONCERT AT ST. PAUL’S
Mark you calendars for a special concert featuring Judi and David Klee on Sunday afternoon, March 27, at 4:00. It will be a time of wonderful music and testimony, and a free-will offering will be taken to support the St. Paul’s Building Renovation Fund. Bring a friend!
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