For the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
When I called, you answered me; you increased my strength within me.
-- Psalm 138:4
There is an interesting juxtaposition between the words of the Psalm (138:1-9) and the other three lessons the lectionary gives for our consideration this week. In this passage, the language is language "from beneath", as the psalmist speaks from a posture of worship -- giving thanks (v. 1), bowing down toward the temple (v. 2), recognizing the glory of God's Name (v. 3) and recounting the certainty that God has answered the psalmist's call (v. 4). The writer is certain that, upon hearing these words of praise (v. 5), rulers everywhere will be drawn into worship of the Lord as well.
Isaiah has a vision "from above" (Isaiah 6:1-8) in a dramatic encounter with the Holy One while going about his regular temple worship. We don't get the sense that Isaiah was doing anything out of the ordinary in fulfilling his duty and yet, the Holy One "breaks in" to Isaiah's routine, with all sorts of heavenly pyrotechnics. After seeing the smoke of God's presence (Shekinah), feeling the heaviness of God's glory (not to mention the shaking of the ground beneath his feet!), seeing the angels dart about the room and hearing their song, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory" (sound familiar?), Isaiah is overwhelmed by the sense of his own unworthiness -- a person of "unclean lips". And yet, it is just this sort of person that God calls into service as a prophet, to tell the message of God to God's people.
Paul, testifying of his vision of the resurrected Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-11), recounts a similar theme. He has, as well, been called "from above". He notes that receiving this appointment as a messenger of the Gospel was akin to being "one untimely born" -- an overdue birth in the great scheme of God's plan of salvation. Paul still seems somewhat mystified that he should have been the recipient of such a vision, claiming he was, "unfit to be called an apostle" because of his former persecution of the church.
The Psalmist finds an experience of the Holy "from below" in the glories of worship. Isaiah and Paul receive an experience of the Holy "from above" in life-altering visions. But Simon Peter and his companions hear the call of the Holy from a very different vantage point -- right beside them! The call comes in a human voice, the voice of the one who becomes their Rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 5:1-11). In the aftermath of the unprecedented catch of fish (after a night's worth of unproductivity), Simon is overwhelmed by the experience. In some mysterious way, this bountiful blessing immediately reminds him of his own unworthiness ("Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!). Then he and his friends hear the words which change their lives for ever: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." However the fishermen understood this invitation, it was irresistible -- so compelling, in fact, they left everything (even the huge pile of fish!) and followed the Teacher.
What are we to make of these accounts in our own lives? We might wish for (or fear!) some sort of divine interruption to our routine so that we can truly know that we are on the right track in our efforts to serve God. We might share Isaiah's, Paul's and Peter's sense of unworthiness (isn't it great to be in such great company?). But, what I take from these various stories of God's initiative toward humanity is the realization that we are ever-surrounded by the presence of the One who keeps inviting humanity into relationship. This One calls continually. Sometimes "from below". Sometimes "from above". And sometimes, calling right beside us, within earshot. But wherever and however we may hear the call, the question of the Holy One is, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"
May God give each of us the strength to say simply, "Here am I; send me!"
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
When I called, you answered me; you increased my strength within me.
-- Psalm 138:4
There is an interesting juxtaposition between the words of the Psalm (138:1-9) and the other three lessons the lectionary gives for our consideration this week. In this passage, the language is language "from beneath", as the psalmist speaks from a posture of worship -- giving thanks (v. 1), bowing down toward the temple (v. 2), recognizing the glory of God's Name (v. 3) and recounting the certainty that God has answered the psalmist's call (v. 4). The writer is certain that, upon hearing these words of praise (v. 5), rulers everywhere will be drawn into worship of the Lord as well.
Isaiah has a vision "from above" (Isaiah 6:1-8) in a dramatic encounter with the Holy One while going about his regular temple worship. We don't get the sense that Isaiah was doing anything out of the ordinary in fulfilling his duty and yet, the Holy One "breaks in" to Isaiah's routine, with all sorts of heavenly pyrotechnics. After seeing the smoke of God's presence (Shekinah), feeling the heaviness of God's glory (not to mention the shaking of the ground beneath his feet!), seeing the angels dart about the room and hearing their song, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory" (sound familiar?), Isaiah is overwhelmed by the sense of his own unworthiness -- a person of "unclean lips". And yet, it is just this sort of person that God calls into service as a prophet, to tell the message of God to God's people.
Paul, testifying of his vision of the resurrected Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-11), recounts a similar theme. He has, as well, been called "from above". He notes that receiving this appointment as a messenger of the Gospel was akin to being "one untimely born" -- an overdue birth in the great scheme of God's plan of salvation. Paul still seems somewhat mystified that he should have been the recipient of such a vision, claiming he was, "unfit to be called an apostle" because of his former persecution of the church.
The Psalmist finds an experience of the Holy "from below" in the glories of worship. Isaiah and Paul receive an experience of the Holy "from above" in life-altering visions. But Simon Peter and his companions hear the call of the Holy from a very different vantage point -- right beside them! The call comes in a human voice, the voice of the one who becomes their Rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth (Luke 5:1-11). In the aftermath of the unprecedented catch of fish (after a night's worth of unproductivity), Simon is overwhelmed by the experience. In some mysterious way, this bountiful blessing immediately reminds him of his own unworthiness ("Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!). Then he and his friends hear the words which change their lives for ever: "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." However the fishermen understood this invitation, it was irresistible -- so compelling, in fact, they left everything (even the huge pile of fish!) and followed the Teacher.
What are we to make of these accounts in our own lives? We might wish for (or fear!) some sort of divine interruption to our routine so that we can truly know that we are on the right track in our efforts to serve God. We might share Isaiah's, Paul's and Peter's sense of unworthiness (isn't it great to be in such great company?). But, what I take from these various stories of God's initiative toward humanity is the realization that we are ever-surrounded by the presence of the One who keeps inviting humanity into relationship. This One calls continually. Sometimes "from below". Sometimes "from above". And sometimes, calling right beside us, within earshot. But wherever and however we may hear the call, the question of the Holy One is, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"
May God give each of us the strength to say simply, "Here am I; send me!"
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
posted by FrGaryB | 3:13 PM
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