11-08-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 8, 2023
On Monday, I shared a quote from the Book of Sirach, a Jewish book (originally written in Hebrew) that is contained within the Catholic, most Orthodox, and some other traditions’ canons (official list of recognized books of the Bible). Most Protestants recognize it for its historic importance, as early Christian writers often referenced it, but it’s not included in our canon. It was written between 210 - 175 B.C. The quote I referenced had a line that read,

Trustworthy friends are life’s medicine,
and those who fear the Lord
will find them.

But in my sermon on Sunday, I retranslated the words “fear of the Lord” to “those who are humbled before the Lord.” The word “fear,” in religion, has been extraordinarily damaging as it has been a tool of abuse and control. If God is to be feared, and I am the only one who has the truth on how to placate God and reduce (never wanting to completely rid people of fear) the fear, then I can do almost anything I want to do. You can see how this has and continues to be done in Christianity today.

I remind people often that wherever we come across the word “fear” in scripture, we probably should think of it more as “awe” or “dumb-struck wonderment as you stand before the Majesty of God.” It’s the feeling you get when you go to the edge of a cliff overlooking a magnificent canyon and curl your toes over the edge. Your stomach flips just a bit, but what you see takes your breath away.

The astronaut, Ken Mattingly, died a week ago. He was played by Gary Sinise in the movie Apollo 13. He was the astronaut who was pulled at the last minute from the mission because of potential exposure to German Measles. He later commanded Apollo 16 and the Space Shuttle. In reflecting on his experiences in space, he said, “I had this very palpable fear that if I saw too much, I couldn’t remember. It was just so impressive.”

In some ways, I think that speaks for us what it is like to brush up against the One who is Eternal and whose love is limitless. We have no words as we stand before the divine in breath-taking awe.

Draw me ever so close, Gracious God, to your eternal and loving presence. Even when my knees are rattling before the radiance of your glory, I know there is nothing to fear, for perfect love casts out all fear. Thank you! Amen.