Lectionary Scriptures Epiphany 6-C
Some call it a "Thin Place". I have a dear friend who calls such a time a "heaven-touching-earth moment." For me, I refer to this as a"God-moment". There are no words to adequately give name to such a time when the Divine Veil has been lifted in your presence. The radiance, the glory, God’s Presence and our deep desire to put a time such as this into immediate words all cause some stammering on our part - even confusion as to what has taken place. At times, I feel as if I have the word "PETER" written across my forehead as my heart wants to blurt out words that will prove themselves to be a jumbled-up mess! It is then when a holy finger presses against our lips and we hear, "Shhhh … This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" And so, the Divine Veil is lifted if only for a moment. The Holy is so radiant that we could easily be blinded yet in such a "heaven-touching-earth" moment, there is tremendous love. "Shhhh … listen to him first before finding your words."
What words does one choose to describe such a holy moment as this? As I read the Scriptures, I wonder such things. How long would I have kept silent? What words would have finally fallen into place to bear witness to something so holy as to the Glory of God radiating from the face of Jesus, enveloping his whole being? Are there words to describe the intensity of brilliance that had to be tempered by clouds? And what about hearing the voice of God? After my trembling had stopped, after brushing myself off, after stumbling down the mountain and back into my surroundings, what words would form on my lips? What words would you share?
For those who have recognized a time when the Most Holy has chosen such a moment of revelation, there seems to be a quietness about the experience for a while. Something so amazing, so intimate, so private is beyond our words. But there must be a reason for such a "mountaintop" experience. There must be a reason to find oneself in the Presence of God Almighty, knocked face down by such Holiness. Perhaps it is so that our hearts might hear "This is my Son, whom I love, with whom I am well pleased. LISTEN TO HIM!" It is the voice of the Most Holy that beckons us to believe in and listen to the Son in a renewed way.
"Shhh … Listen to him! Yes, there are often no complete sentences that can be formed for such a time when Jesus is revealed in a different light to just one or when the Holy Spirit’s Presence fills a sanctuary. And too often we try to share with others before their hearts have been made ready to listen to such radiant words. "Shhh …Listen to him first! See him as he truly is." It is then when stuttering and stammering words form complete sentences as we share what we have seen. Perhaps this period of silence is a good beginning to our Lenten journey for soon we will find ourselves resolutely setting our sights on Jerusalem with Jesus. We will be standing at the foot of the cross. And finally, we will be peering into an empty tomb. All along the way, we will find ourselves in the presence of the Holy. So, listen. This IS God’s Son, the Beloved, the Chosen.
Transforming and Holy God … The glory of your Presence is much too brilliant for our stammering words to make sense in telling others. We find ourselves face down in awe and yet these moments truly do become our faith story. With great love, you have whispered "Shhh… Listen." With tremendous love Jesus lifts us up and veils your holy radiance once more so that we might keep our eyes upon him. And with unimaginable love, your Son walks to the cross for us. O God, help us see your Presence with a brilliance that is unmistakable. Be with us in our silence as we soon prepare to step out on our Lenten journey. Form our sentences in your most perfect of timing, sending us out to tell what we have seen as truth. Give us blessed eyes to see your Holy Presence around us and a renewed understanding of what you would have us tell others. Amen.
anna
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