22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear parishioners,
In the second reading on Sunday, from Hebrews, we hear the words: “You have not approached that which could be touched”. The point the author of Hebrews wished to make is that through Christ we have a God that is near to us and accessible, not just a mysterious and distant God. But really, both of these ideas are correct.
I love the way these two ideas or images of God are revealed in the first three chapters of Genesis. In chapter one, God systematically created the world and its creatures by simply speaking it all into being. He seems mysterious and distant. Then in chapter two we get a different image of God and a different sense of how He creates, forming Adam from the clay and breathing life into him. God seems very much hands-on and present. I encourage you to read these chapters again for yourself.
I think it's important to recognize God in both of these ways in our lives. On one hand, God is, as so many spiritual mystics described, utterly 'other'. Any words or ideas we might use in attempt to define God are never adequate; God is always more. But on the other hand, our God is closer to us than we are to ourselves. He is revealed in all things, because He created them. He is One and utterly simple.
Our God is indeed both, and the book of Hebrews makes this point well in describing Jesus Christ. Jesus having taken on our flesh, is the bridge between these two images of God—Jesus: true God and true man. As St. Paul said, "He is image of the invisible God". Indeed, it is in the very Eucharist that our transcendent God is made visible and is touched and becomes as close to us as we are to ourselves. “You have not approached that which could be touched”. Amen.
And I think our worship as a community is its best when it recognizes and balances these two notions of God. That we may be a community that comes together with great human warmth, in a way that recognizes God in our very midst, reflected in each one of us. But may we also worship with great reverence--and dare I say, a certain awe--for our great and glorious God who exceeds all things and calls us to seek Him in the mystery. Our God is great!
In the Peace of Christ,
Fr. Todd O. Strange
Parochial Vicar
God’s little notes:
Many folks want to
serve God, but only
as advisers.
