Divine Hiddenness Unveiled

Devotional Reflection, Friday, October 18. 2024

Proper 23, the week of the twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:

28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

You will find the full text of today’s Gospel at the end of this reflection.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 989)

AM Psalm 16, 17; PM Psalm 22

Ecclus. 1:1-10,18-27; Acts 28:1-16; Luke 9:28-36

Today we celebrate the Feast of Luke the Evangelist.(See below.)

David’s Reflections

How fully can God’s presence be hidden and concealed in a human life?  Jesus’ followers in today’s Gospel were privy to an outshining of God’s hidden radiance in him.  In the Transfiguration, Jesus’ physical appearance changed; God’s glory seemed to shine out through his pores, through his clothing.

In one of his parables, Jesus commends people in the final judgment for providing him with food, clothing, and ministry.  They respond in shock, “When did we see you hungry or thirsty?”  Jesus’ answer, “If you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.”  (Matthew 25).  Jesus was present in the lives of the needy, but those who ministered to them did not know it.

Genesis 1 says that we have been created in God’s image.  Yet, we can be blind to God’s presence and image within us just as we can be blind to it in others.  It is far easier to focus on our negatives—recurring sins, fears, dark desires, and doubts.  What floats on the surface of a river does not define it.

Jesus’ followers were weary and sleepy, but they managed to stay awake and saw Jesus’ glory.  God’s hidden, layered presence becomes evident at God’s initiative, not ours.  We cannot discover God by searching.  Ours is to remain awake and curious and watchful.  Ours is to believe that God’s presence lies just beyond the reach of our vision.  Only then will we see around us, in others, and in ourselves the God who otherwise wraps the divine presence in mystery and absence, and that seeing will be God's gift.

Earth's

crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God;

But only he who sees, takes off his shoes--

The rest sit round it and pluck black-

berries,

And daub their natural faces unaware

More and more from the first similitude. *

* Elizabeth Barrett Browning,  "Aurora Leigh," Bk VII, lines 813-826.  The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  Cambridge Edition.  With a New Introduction by Ruth M. Adams (Boston:  Houghton Mifflin, 1974), p.372.

Collect of the Day:  Proper 23, the twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (BCP, 234-235)

Today we celebrate the Feast of Luke the Evangelist.

http://www.satucket.com/lectionary/Luke.htm

Collect of the Feast of Luke the Evangelist

Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Collect for Fridays

Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen.  (BCP, 123)

For those in the Armed Forces of our Country

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 823)

In the Evening

O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.   (BCP, 833)

A Collect for Mission

Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (BCP, 816-817)

Daily Office Gospel, Luke 9:28-36

28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’ —not knowing what he said. 34While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ 36When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer