Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Today’s text

Matthew 17:5-7

Suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and suddenly from the cloud there came a voice which said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him.' When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them, saying, 'Stand up, do not be afraid.

Reflection

Listen to him: “Stand up, do not be afraid.”

These are the first words you speak, Jesus, after the mysterious voice from the cloud directs us to you. Stand up, you say, do not be hindered by fears of what will happen or what others may think or do in response.

What should stand up is us, who we truly are, sharing our deepest loves and hopes, even the hidden ones, and the beauties you awaken in us, sometimes even surprising us at the depth of what is within.

It is this depth of soul that you invite to stand without fear. Stand up and do not fear the pain or unrest you might cause, for the pain of denying your soul is greater

It is fear that holds us back, fear of consequences, fear of others opinions, fear of being who and what we are, fear of claiming the freedom that lies always within our grasp.

We do not want to feel this fear. Consequently, we fail to fly, to soar to the heights of love and grace to which the Spirit of your love would propel us.

And coming to the end of life, our deepest regret is knowing that we never fully lived because we were afraid.

Gracious One, save us from this regret. Save us from half-loves and lives half lived.

And save the world, too, from being denied what you give through us when, despite our fears, we heed your voice and stand up

Pr. David L. Miller