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Readings for August 7,2011
How is God Revealed to Us?
"Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by."
Elijah waited on the mountain to discover in what way God would be revealed to him. In the end, it wasn't in the drama of wind, earthquake, or fire-but in "a tiny whispering sound." Yet, this whisper was enough to cause Elijah to hide his face in his cloak. He became overcome by the presence of the holy.
In the reading from Romans, Paul's encounter with God doesn't result in a comfortable or peaceful life. On the contrary, Paul finds himself overcome by "great sorrow and anguish" over the Israelites--his own people--who had received so much, yet didn't believe. Paul's indispensible call became clear to him: to travel the known world, bringing the news of Christ to those who had not had the experience of the risen Lord, forming churches and providing instruction that Christians today still follow in their faith communities.
In Matthew's Gospel, Peter doubts whether Christ will help him, and it is only when he can do the extraordinary-walk on water!-that his disciples say, "Truly, you are the Son of God!" Even natural forces obey this God.
A question might be, are such dramatic occurrences necessary for faith? Or is God most often revealed in the more ordinary parts of our lives? I was personally struck by the simple statement after Christ feeds and dismisses the crowd:
"After doing so, he went upon the mountain by himself to pray."
The renowned world religions scholar, Huston Smith, noted in one of his later talks the number of times Christ goes away to pray. It has great significance. In the quiet experience of prayer Christ comes into his fulfillment, recognizing the will of his Father, the ultimate purpose of his ministry and his ultimate sacrifice.
In prayer, in quiet and whispers, and in the ordinary moments of living our vocations. God is encountered. God continues to be revealed in our mountaintop experiences, great or small.
Maryanne Rusinak
Ascension Parishioner
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