Sermon preached at The Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia Sunday February 10th 2013 The Reverend Alan

Neale, Psychic Profiling On Friday my friend Jarrett at Starbucks handed me my drink and, as he did, he said, You look just like a private investigator. Well, I was rather taken with the appellation I suggested that I was a private investigator for God, helping others to discover the truth at this his eyes started to glaze so I left. But why such a statement? Well, apparently, it was a combination of the trench coat, bow-tie and brown trilby hat and, Im sure, searching blue eyes! To be thus defined on a cold, chilly Friday was not a problem for me and I knew it came from a friend but to be defined, to be profiled, by others whom we do not know or even intend us harm that is a very different story. Racial profiling is defined as the use of an individuals race or ethnicity by law enforcement personnel as a key factor in deciding whether to engage in enforcement (e.g. make a traffic stop or arrest). The practice is controversial and is illegal in many jurisdictions. But what of profiling of the soul, the psyche? How do we like being defined by our age, our sex, our accent? On the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36) there is certainly some profiling taking place some authentic, some false; some empowering, some constricting. Moses, probably representing the Law, and Elijah, probably representing the prophets, appear and a conversation takes place that I would so loved to have heard (even eavesdropped!). Does it begin, Long time, no see (see just in case Moses got confused with another sea, especially with all that talk of an exodus!)? Are there the inquiries into health that were, as today, social greetings rather than an inquiry into ones digestive well-being? Very quickly Moses and Elijah disappear and Jesus remains alone. Jesus now is not defined by the burden of an institution with its baggage of tradition and its litany of oh, we tried that, it never worked; Jesus now is not defined by a resolute hold on the future that will not brook alteration nor embrace modification. No.. Jesus now is defined with these words, You are my beloved son, with you I am well pleased; upon you my favour rests. This definition becomes

so fundamental, so primal, so essential, so primary that after Jesus first heard these words (some three years before by the waters of the Jordan) immediately all hell, all devilish ploys, all diabolical schemes were hurled at him to make him doubt, make him despair. If if if you are the Son of God !!! Three brief points about this process
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The divine order of definition. We do not earn this status it is given to us not because we have survived testing but because we need to be prepared for testing. We do not earn this status it is given to us not because we have served God and others well but because we need be empowered to serve well. The divine voice of definition. Sometimes it will be as a quiet, interior voice that is given only to us to hear; sometimes it will be as an audible, exterior voice that is heard by us and those around us. Ultimately this voice comes not from law and tradition, nor from control and prophecy it comes directly from the heart of God that beats and pounds on our behalf and for our welfare. The divine community of definition. There were many times when Jesus went to pray by himself to desert places, to mountain-tops; but here he brings his three best friends James and John and Peter. Was it for their benefit, probably? But, maybe also, for the benefit of the Son of God, Son of Man who, perhaps, in the following three days leading to Calvary asked his friends to tell the mountain story again.

For Lent 2013, I offer you (and me) four questions questions to prayerfully ponder, questions to reflect upon with the aid of Scripture and conversation and questions to write about on paper or computer notebooks 1. 2. 3. 4. How does God define me? How do I define myself? Why the gap? What is to be done?

A few weeks ago, a very good and close friend of mine came to talk we had talked together often over the past years in Philadelphia but now a new stage, a new phase was presenting itself to him he would soon retire and soon leave this city. My friend articulated plainly concern about the future, he said something like, It has been my work that has defined me what now?.

I remember it was truly a special privilege and honour to respond with confidence and affection, But this is not what defines you; you are defined by this you are a beloved child of God, He is very pleased with you and upon you His favour rests. Have you heard the heavenly Fathers voice? Can you hear it now? AMEN