Today’s scripture: Exodus 3:1-12 (NRSV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Tyler Connoley):
The other day, a friend sent me a homily titled What Would Mary Do? which challenged us to model Mary’s obedience to God when the angel came to her. As I read the homily, I thought about the burning bush, which is one of the traditional symbols for Mary, who is said to have born God and not been consumed. I’ve been thinking a lot about fire and God’s presence lately.
Periodically, we have huge forest fires raging in New Mexico, where I live. You can smell the smoke in the air, and the news is all about how many acres have been burned, and how close the fires are to houses and towns. They say the fires are a healthy part of forest life, and necessary to ensure future growth. But that doesn’t make it any easier for the birds and animals that are caught in it, or the people who are evacuated.
As I smell the raging but “good” forest fires, I remember a friend who once said to me, “I want the Holy Spirit in my life, but I don’t want him to catch the sofa on fire.” I also remember Rich Mullins who sang of “the reckless raging fury that they call the love of God.”
Like Mary, Moses was someone whose experience of God turned his life upside down and inside out. I’m sure Mary and Moses both felt at times that their experience of God would consume them. But thanks to their willingness to bear God’s presence, the world was changed forever.
Thought for the day: Remembering Mary and Moses, and smelling the smoke in the air, I pray for the courage to bear God’s presence more fully, believing I will not be consumed in the process.
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