OMG, did I really just say that? I’m always dismayed when the conversation goes silent when I join the group at a table. People who know that I’m a clergy person suddenly clam up, ostensibly not to offend(?) me. I’m sorry to say that I sometimes attempt to put them at ease by telling a story that’s even more racy than that which I interrupted. One of the boys, y’know; pip-pip. Scriptural stories today are about three saints who’ve been confronted by The Holy, and are embarrassed by their worldliness. Just like people in the pew or study-group, I guess.
Isaiah of Jerusalem tells about a vision (dream?) in which he finds himself in God’s presence (6:1-8). In the process, he realizes his own profane nature, as well as that of his culture. Yet God provides a healing, having an angelic being touch his lips with a hot coal and burning away his perceived unworthiness. Martin L. Smith, an Episcopal priest, brings us up to modern times: “It is impossible to represent God in any way without undergoing a searing operation by the divine physician to restore our passion for truth-telling and heal our complicity in a culture of lies.” (SOJOURNERS, February 2019:44)
Our second story is what Paul tells the Corinthians about himself (I,15:1-11). He’s speaking to a congregation divided over trivialities, trying to remind them of the common denominator of their faith, the centrality of Christ. He speaks of the Christian holy-history: how the risen Christ appeared to the Disciples and others of his following. And then to Paul himself! (See his theophany on the road to Damascus as told in Acts 9.) “For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” Presumably the Corinthian Church knew this story, and were to use this example as one of gracious purging of profanity within those to whom God has appeared.
Luke’s Gospel recalls the encounter between Simon & Co. at the Capernaum seashore (5:1-11). The well-told narrative describes the compliance of the fishermen in allowing Jesus to speak from their boat; as a “reward”, they immediately take in more fish than they can process–nets began to break, boats began to sink! Peter recognizes the Holy One in front of him: “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” But Jesus speaks the old words of assurance–“Don’t be afraid”–and calls Peter, James & John to fish for People.
Each of these saints who recognized their earthiness in the Presence of God–Isaiah, Paul, Peter–were cleansed and empowered for a purpose: to tell God’s story. They came face-to-face with their limitations, yet they received a revelation of their potential. Each changed his vocation, not to mention their understanding of God’s grace. May those who read and hear this loving message see themselves as worthy of service, by God…!
God bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My thoughts about lessons for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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