Transfiguration in The Age of Spectacle
Transfiguration in The Age of Spectacle
In an excellent 2023 New York Times opinion piece entitled “The Age of Spectacle Is Upon Us”, David Brooks makes the case that “spectacle” has become the modus operandi of our time. It’s just the way stuff gets done.
Spectacle is a moment of time in which a collective gaze is fixed on some specific image, or video, or event (Google “Taylor Swift Super Bowl” and you’ll see what I mean). Spectacle is something that captures an instant when our eyes and brains focus and fixate on something projected at us. But spectacle always demands more. It aims to provoke something in us only to extract something from us. It demands all sorts of things—our time, our tears, our outrage, our sympathy, our lust, our affections, our money, and our votes…but mostly our attention.
On the last Sunday of Epiphany each year, we commemorate and contemplate the Transfiguration of Jesus, celebrating the power of God the Father revealing the glory of his mind-bendingly incarnate Self and Son to the world.
But in revealing these he demands something, too. “Listen”—pay attention—“to him” (Mark 9:7). Which is difficult when our attention is elsewhere.
See you Sunday.
Steve+
News & Announcements
Work Day at 1309 Saturday—9AM to Noon (drop by if/when you can)
Our tasks for tomorrow will be continuing grounds cleanup (weather permitting), wall patching and paint-prepping, kitchen cleaning, sanding, window adhesive removal, window cleaning, cleanup, and sundry odd jobs—something for just about everyone. Please bring:
gas-powered leaf blowers (again, weather permitting)
rakes, shovels, brooms, dustpans
work gloves
putty knives
safety glasses, masks (especially if you’re sensitive to dust), hearing protection
small step ladders/step stools
Lots of work that will be better together!
Important Upcoming Dates
Saturday, February 10, 9AM-Noon—Workday at 1309
Wednesday, February 14, 7PM—Ash Wednesday Service (1996 Generals Hwy)
Saturday, February 17, 9AM-Noon—Workday at 1309
Sunday, March 24—1309 Grand Opening! (Palm/Passion Sunday)
Thursday, March 28, 7PM—Maundy Thursday Service
Friday, March 29, 7PM—Good Friday Service
Saturday, March 30, Noon—Holy Saturday Service
Sunday, March 31—Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 7–1309 Consecration with Bishop Julian
Image : bernadette.lopez@evangile-et-peinture.org
