Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 2; Exodus 24:12-18; Matthew 17:1-9; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Psalm 118
Tom Troeger, one of my seminary professors at The Iliff School of Theology, made an interesting observation about how most of us react when we encounter the Holy. In visiting numerous worship services throughout the country over the years, Troeger noted that often people will do unexpected things when they have an unexpected experience of the Holy. Some of the things they’ll do include things like nervously making a joke or applauding. Of course the notion that someone might not know how to respond to an encounter with the Holy isn’t a recent phenomena. In today’s passage from Matthew, Peter manifests an unexpected response to the Holy when – after seeing the appearance of Elijah and Moses – he offer to build three memorials on the mountain to capture the moment. Eugene Peterson goes on to add that after his offer Peter continues to babble (Matthew 17:4-5 – The Message). Why is it that so many of us (including myself) have a difficult time knowing what to do in the midst of our encounters with the Holy? I suppose the answer lies within my own question. Our response shouldn’t be driven by our needs or our perceptions – our response should include a letting go of our control and a willingness to simply be in the moment. Maybe then we'd know how to respond to our encounters. Til next time…
Tom Troeger, one of my seminary professors at The Iliff School of Theology, made an interesting observation about how most of us react when we encounter the Holy. In visiting numerous worship services throughout the country over the years, Troeger noted that often people will do unexpected things when they have an unexpected experience of the Holy. Some of the things they’ll do include things like nervously making a joke or applauding. Of course the notion that someone might not know how to respond to an encounter with the Holy isn’t a recent phenomena. In today’s passage from Matthew, Peter manifests an unexpected response to the Holy when – after seeing the appearance of Elijah and Moses – he offer to build three memorials on the mountain to capture the moment. Eugene Peterson goes on to add that after his offer Peter continues to babble (Matthew 17:4-5 – The Message). Why is it that so many of us (including myself) have a difficult time knowing what to do in the midst of our encounters with the Holy? I suppose the answer lies within my own question. Our response shouldn’t be driven by our needs or our perceptions – our response should include a letting go of our control and a willingness to simply be in the moment. Maybe then we'd know how to respond to our encounters. Til next time…
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