"Otherness" of the Creator

Each of the three texts for today point to the awesome ‘otherness’ of the Creator, the Almighty, the Source of Life, the essence of Truth, Justice and Love. We witness all this and more in our experience and exploration of the phenomena that surround us daily; and, if let ourselves become aware of all that passes by us in life, we are struck with awe and wonder. 

To us, however, God also presents an alternate personae. Most of the rest of Scripture focuses on this one.

Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter

Reflection - Schizoid

By Steve Hall


https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080622.cfm
Daniel 7:9, 13-14
II Peter 1:16-19
Luke 9:28-36


Today we have three challenging readings. The first records a vision from the book of Daniel, one which describes a scene beyond understanding, though intuitively we recognize it as a meager attempt to describe the indescribable. Daniel sees the King, the Ancient One, robed in glory and majesty. “Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him.” In Old Testament days it was necessary, even essential, to regularly proclaim the power and majesty of God. Mythical alternatives were common and the wonder of a parted Sea or a sacrifice consumed by fire from heaven were useful to keep in mind.

The second passage records a caution. In it, the Apostle Peter reminds those reading or hearing his letter that he, himself, was a witness to what has become known as the Transfiguration. Consequently, he says “You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place.” Why? Because of the divine glory made manifest in that event.

The third of these readings recounts Luke’s record of the Transfiguration event itself in which “While he [Jesus] was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.” A bit later the Father would acknowledge his Son and confirm his teaching.

Each of the three texts point to the awesome ‘otherness’ of the Creator, the Almighty, the Source of Life, the essence of Truth, Justice and Love. We witness all this and more in our experience and exploration of the phenomena that surround us daily; and, if let ourselves become aware of all that passes by us in life, we are struck with awe and wonder. So near and yet so far. So close and yet so distant. So unique and yet so ever-present. Sometimes it might seem that we might as well return to the mystery of Daniel’s vision — no comprehension required.

To us, however, God also presents an alternate personae. Most of the rest of Scripture focuses on this one.

This is the God who knew you before you were born

This is the God who “made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins, and clothed them” at the time when they were compelled to leave Eden. (Genesis 3:21)

Psalm 91 compresses into a few short verses the God who wishes to be known by us and it does so with assertions as to what we can expect.

He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. (Psalm 91:3)

He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge. (Psalm 91:4)

His faithfulness is a shield and buckler [for you]. (Psalm 91:4)

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day. (Psalm 91:5)

No evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. (Psalm 91:10)

He will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11)

And ultimately there is the promises of God himself.

When he calls to me, I [the Lord] will answer him. (Psalm 91:15)

I [the Lord] will be with him in trouble. (Psalm 91:15)

I [the Lord] will rescue him and honor him. (Psalm 91:15)

To this end he invites us to call him Friend . . . Brother . . . Father; and we find ourselves startled, taken aback, dumbfounded, overjoyed and even puzzled. One might suspicion that one of the two, either God or ourselves, has a Schizoid personality, but such is not the case.

Reflecting on the Scriptures of the day tells us some things. Among those that come to the fore are splendor, power and majesty along with a host of others. How could it be otherwise? After all, what else could we expect from the One who is God. Such characteristics are essential unless this so-called Supreme Being is less than supreme. Nevertheless, these are not qualities upon which lasting relationships are built — unless, by chance, the relationship is one of king-and-subject, master-and-servant or tyrant-and-slave. I struggle against such possibilities and none leave me startled, taken aback, dumbfounded, overjoyed or puzzled

Still, such matters cannot be ignored. Creator-and-created is somewhat fundamental as are those other attributes previously mentioned. They cannot be set aside to be remembered only when convenient. Neither should they be filed away for future reference. It would seem, however, that by divine choice, such distinctive and unique markers have their primary place in assisting us in keeping things in proper perspective.

It comes down to this: these things I know about God; but if it’s all I know, then I’m missing everything truly important. I’m missing what God wants to have happen between Him and me. He has known me from my mother’s womb. And, in spite of all I have done to ignore him, or dismiss him or even offend him he wants still to be Friend . . . Brother . . . Father. He pursues me even as I run from him. He seeks me even as I hide from him. He calls me even as I ignore him. He will be my shelter. He will be my shield. He will protect me from evil and send his angels to guard me in all my ways. He loves me when it seems no one else does. He would be my friend, my Brother, my Father.

This is the God I know and he is true to his Word.

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