Isaiah 64:1-9
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down,
so that the mountains would quake at your presence—
as when fire kindles brushwood
and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
so that the nations might tremble at your presence!
When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect,
you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
From ages past no one has heard,
no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who gladly do right,
those who remember you in your ways.
But you were angry, and we sinned;
because you hid yourself we transgressed.
We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.
We all fade like a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
There is no one who calls on your name,
or attempts to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us,
and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand.
Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord,
and do not remember iniquity for ever.
Now consider, we are all your people.
Reflection
It's true. God comes to each and every one of us in mighty ways. Ways that we even refuse to acknowledge or recognize. God has come to us in creation and science and life and death. God has come to us in the midst of our filth, sin, illness, murder, lies and even in the midst of our running away from God.
Look to the skies in the evening and to the hills during sunrise. Think about in wonder how all that is around you, above you, beneath you and inside of you came into being. Think of life and feel the power of a God that brings to life all things. Recall those times you have witnessed the power and authority of so many things in life. The volcano, the earthquake, the snowfall and the rain and sunshine. Ponder the growth of food and trees and all vegetation. Stare at in amazement at the various forms of animal life. Go to an aquarium or dive to see what life is hidden in the sea. Explore what God has granted life to above the sea. Is there life in this universe? Of course!
But then, God comes to us. God comes to a Chosen People to reveal life and power and grace to all the peoples. God comes to all of us and chooses to grant life through the life of Jesus from the midst of a manger to a poor couple and a people that are not of the Chosen People and to the people that are the Chosen People. Yes, it's true, God tears open the heavens and always comes down. Comes down in Jesus to save me and you and all creation.
All just at the right moment in time as we sin and turn from God, God tears heaven open out of love to save us. We couldn't... we can't do anything about this action of God's love. It's a love given to us despite our efforts to please God. It's a love that bursts into our inner lives when we need God the most. It's a love that gives all to bring life from death.
As we turn to face this love... look... see... hear... use whatever senses and whatever abilities you have been given and give thanks to God for bursting forth from heaven to enter into your inner most being. Then let that love tear you open wide. Open wide to share that same love God has given to you with your neighbor and all those God gives to you each day. Share God's love not out of a sense of accomplishment but out of a sense of devotion and love to all that God has done for you... done for you... when you needed it the most. How else could you respond to such grace freely given?
Now consider... we are all God's people.
Thanks be to God!
Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSav2_WtHAA
Prayer
Lord, as I turn to you and you open yourself to me. May I see your glory. May I know your presence. How I need you to come near. How I need your presence. How I need you in my life. How I need you! Forgive my sin and come Lord Jesus come. Come into my innermost being and let your love flow through me to all you give to me... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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