| The 'invitation to see and be holy in "An Unsettling God" by Walter Brueggemann is expressed in quite a literal seeing of the glory of God.
The testimony about this singular encounter at Sinai makes clear that it is a one-time encounter, to which only the leadership is invited. It is nonetheless clear that this encounter obligates Israel not only to do justice for the neighbor, but also to be in the presence of God, to see, God, to submit to the unutterable overwhelmingness that is the very character of God. It belongs to the life and character of Israel to be with and to be before this One to whom Israel is responding partner. Israelite traditions, which are rooted in the Sinai encounter, attest to the ways in which this awesome moment of presence is made continually available in Israel's cultic practice. It is clear in the development of this tradition of obligation that Israel has a keen aesthetic sensibility, suggesting that YHWH to whom Israel responds is not only righteous but also beautiful. The encounter is conducted in an environment of beauty, which makes the communion possible and which is reflective of YHWH's own character.
Sometimes we can be in the presence of something beautiful and it can seem like a holy place. It makes sense, to a degree, that when the people of God want to within the presence of God - it would be a beautiful place. I suppose one could argue that the gathered community of God's people reaches into the very depths of the beauty of God exhibited to the world. Rather than the expense of precious stones and fine fabrics and impressive structures, God is beautiful as God's people reflect that beauty when they gather. The most simple structure can house the powerful and inspired people of God - and yet, when the faithful gather, there is something about the beauty of the space matching the beauty of God's people - and the God who builds the community. So what happens when that which is considered beautiful - stones and gems and gold - is lost and taken away? To what elements of God's beauty are the people drawn?
Connection: I wonder what it would take for the people of God to be caught up into the beauty of the character of God's people - as it is the beautiful character of our God. Seeing each person as a gem within the beautiful image of God.
O God, who abides with us, make your word the foundation of our life that is caught up in the beauty of your image and your arriving Reign. Amen. |
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