The Apple of God’s Eye
- davidwperk
- Dec 19, 2023
- 5 min read
Devotional Reflection, Tuesday, December 19, 2023
The week of the third Sunday in Advent
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
8For thus said the LORD of hosts (after his glory sent me) regarding the nations that plundered you: Truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye.
You will find the full text of today’s Zechariah reading at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings, (BCP , 939)
AM Psalm 45; PM Psalm 47, 48
Zech. 2:1-13; Rev. 3:14-22; Matt. 24:32-44
Today we celebrate the Feast of Lillian Thrasher. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
The French poet, Charles Baudelaire, interrogates gaiety, kindness, health, beauty, and happiness in his poem “Reversibility.” One strophe reads:
Angel of health, did ever you know pain?
Which like an exile trails his tired footfalls
The cold length of the white infirmary walls,
With lips compressed, seeking the sun in vain?
Angel of health, did ever you know pain? *
The prophet Zechariah, preaching to the suffering exiles who had returned to a devastated Jerusalem to resettle and rebuild answers with a “yes.” The angel of health indeed has known pain. In verse eight, he expressed God’s word to those returnees regarding the afflictions imposed by their conquerors, “Truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye.”
We speak of those dear to us as the apple of our eye. And, we could well understand this word from God in that light. The returning exiles were dear to God and those who had afflicted them would be judged because of their abuse of those dear to God., those who were the apple of God’s eye.
That figure of speech, the apple of God’s eye, recurs in other texts (Psalm 17; Deuteronomy 32). We find the expression in the liturgy for Evening Prayer as well. But, more lies in that image than our being dear to God. The ancients associated the pupil of the eye and its shape with the apple. On this understanding of the image, God is saying here that his people are like the pupil of his eye. Those who abuse them are in essence poking God in the eye, touching God’s pupil, because we are the extension of God’s eyeball (to speak figuratively).
That image speaks so loudly about God’s identifying with us. When an enemy or some form of adversity grips our lives, it is as if God is getting poked in the eye. Having been accidentally poked in the eye by my infant son, it amazes me that God identifies that closely with us. Our sufferings affect God like a poke in the eye affects us.
Zechariah has an answer to Baudelaire’s query. The angel of health indeed has known and does know pain, our pain.
* Charles Baudelaire, The Flowers of Evil: A Selection. Edited by Marthiel and Jackson Matthews (New York: New Directions, 1955), pp. 41-42.
Collect of the Day, The third Sunday of Advent
Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you an the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 212)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Lillian Thrasher, missionary to Egypt (died 17 Dec 1961 CE).
Collect of the Feast of Lillian Thrasher
God, whose everlasting arms support the universe: We thank you for moving the heart of Lillian Trasher to heroic hospitality on behalf of orphaned children in great need, and we pray that we also may find our hearts awakened and our compassion stirred to care for your little ones, through the example of our Savior Jesus Christ and by the energy of your Holy Spirit, who broods over the world like a mother over her children; for they live and reign with you, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 99)
Of the Reign of Christ
Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together
under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 254)
A Collect for the Presence of Christ
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. (BCP, 124)
A Collect for Mission
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 100)
Old Testament Reading, Zechariah 2:1-13
2:1I looked up and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2Then I asked, "Where are you going?" He answered me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length." 3Then the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him, 4and said to him, "Run, say to that young man: Jerusalem shall be inhabited like villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and animals in it. 5For I will be a wall of fire all around it, says the LORD, and I will be the glory within it."
6 Up, up! Flee from the land of the north, says the LORD; for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven, says the LORD. 7Up! Escape to Zion, you that live with daughter Babylon. 8For thus said the LORD of hosts (after his glory sent me) regarding the nations that plundered you: Truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye. 9See now, I am going to raise my hand against them, and they shall become plunder for their own slaves. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me.
10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the LORD. 11Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in your midst. And you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 12The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem. 13Be silent, all people, before the LORD; for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.
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
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