Wonderful and Terrible

Friday, May 18, 2007 -- Week of 6 Easter

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117
An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this location -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 962)
Psalms 85, 86 (morning) 91, 92 (evening)
Ezekiel 1:28 - 3:3
Hebrews 4:14 - 5:6
Luke 9:28-36


There is something wonderful and terrible about our lives with God.

God speaks to Ezekiel and calls him "Mortal" -- literally "son of adam." The Hebrew word "adam" means "man." It is related to the word for "ground" -- "adamah." In English we retain a similar relationship with the words "humus" and "human" or "earth" and "earthling." Consistently God addresses Ezekiel as "son of adam." The contrast is profound.

We have just read Ezekiel's vision of God with the imagery of a throne of four living creatures below the fiery splendor of God. God tells the son of earth/ground/humus -- mortal human, earthling to stand and be sent to "a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me." God gives this mortal a written scroll. On it are words of lamentation and mourning and woe, but when these words are ingested, they are as sweet as honey in the mouth.

The encounter with God is wonderful and terrible.

Peter and James and John are with Jesus as he prays on the mountain. Suddenly they experience an epiphany. Jesus is gloriously transfigured in glory, and with him appears Moses and Elijah, the law and the prophet, speaking to him. They are speaking of something terrible -- "his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem" -- his bitter passion. The disciples try to grasp this and memorialize it in some human, traditional way. A terrifying cloud envelops them and a voice speaks. All they can do is respond in silence.

In the presence of God we are mortal -- small, earthy, rebellious and limited. Silence and repentance are our only response. But what a wonderful sweet encounter.

The writer of Hebrews talks of our new status, since "we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God." This Son of God is one who can sympathize with our weaknesses," who in every respect has been tested as we are." The Son of God has come in compassion to the son of earth/ground/humus. "Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

The wonderful and terrible encounter which brings life to light.


Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

See our Web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life:
We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.