The opening text will come from a book by Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man - A Philosophy of Judaism). As you are able to see by the title, the language may be a bit dated and therefore, I will, when able, make the language inclusive.
A return to reverence is the first prerequisite for a revival of wisdom, for the discovery of the world as an allusion to God. Wisdom comes from awe rather than from shrewdness. It is evoked not in moments of calculation but in moments of being in rapport with the mystery of reality. The greatest insights happen to us in moments of awe.
A moment of awe is a moment of self-consecration. They who sense the wonder share in the wonder. They who keep holy the things that are holy shall themselves become holy.
Reverence of life…of others…of creation…takes us out of ourselves and allows us to gain another perspective on life. Acts of justice and mercy flow out of reverence. A wise person is so awe-filled by the creative wonders of God that it would be difficult to turn one’s back to the needs of those around us because each and every person and being is seen as linked together…holy before God. During our day we may be very impressed by those who know how to “get around” in the world, or those who can make things stack up just so, or those who seem to be able to have an answer to every question, but I find that I am truly amazed when something said is able to grab me and lift me and cause me to wonder about what “could be”…what is not and yet… I think at those times, we linger around the edges of what is holy and full of wonder and newness.
Connection: How would the day change if we took a moment…just a moment…to revere the life around us…to look with wonder at what is usually never given “another look?” I would hope we would become a bit more appreciative of another piece of what God has created.
O Lord, teach us to pause and look around. Remind us to seek the wholeness of your creation and walk in the ways of your mercy, kindness and compassion. Touch our hearts so that we begin to sense the very power and presence of your love within the components of our day. Amen.
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