Tiny Whispers

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Elijah, hear, Kings, listen, mountain, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, voice of God, whisper

Today we’re again reminded that God can be a surprise, appearing where and when we least expect a such a gift. (See 1 KGS 19:9A, 11-13A) The prophet Elijah is taking shelter on Horeb, “the mountain of God.” (Mountains often figure in these stories for some reason: their opportunity for solitude? the successful challenge of the climb? nearness to heaven? or…perhaps none of the above.) Elijah hears the voice of God saying, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the Lord; the Lord will be passing by.” As we probably have heard, many loud and visually cataclysmic events followed then that he could not have missed: wind, earthquake, fire…but God was not in any of those happenings. It was “a tiny whispering sound” that Elijah heard and recognized as God’s voice.

How could he have heard God in that tiny moment? I think the only answer can be: practice. Elijah was one of the major prophets and obviously one who was practiced in listening. That was his job: being alert for God’s messages to the people. As such he was probably aware of any small shift in conditions inside and out. Maybe his emotions were stirred. Maybe he had a felt sense in his body…I don’t know.

What I do know and am more aware of as I reflect on this familiar text is that there’s a lot of noise in the world today – much of it negative and loud. It doesn’t feel to me that there is much mountain climbing to achieve solace and hear the voice of God. There are lots of zoom calls though and some are helpful. I meet with one group that I think might approximate Elijah’s ability to hear God in the midst of babble. Sometimes it’s hard not to try to fill the silence when no one is speaking. I’m learning, however, that this is the experience that I need to value the most because everyone is silently listening for the word of God to come through. And it is usually not a bombastic declaration. Most often the word is spoken in little more than a tiny whisper. And we are all trying to hear…Do you know what I mean?

Musing at Sunrise

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apostles, call to prayer, clarity, dawn, Jesus, Mark, ministry, mountain, prayer, Sisters of St. Joseph, summon, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

I’m sitting in my assigned bedroom at our Motherhouse, three stories off the ground. I am here until tomorrow for meetings and had determined to sleep as long as I could this morning. Having retired before 10:00pm, I was not surprised to read 6:22 on the clock in my room when I woke; it was enough sleep. Although the temptation to put off the inevitable moment of rising was strong, I was won over by the beauty of the morning star, the deep, deep blue of the sky and a thin line of magenta light out my window in the east. I have not been disappointed with the progress of the dawning day.

This morning’s gospel (MK 3:13-19) has Jesus going up a mountain – a place he often chooses for prayer. I’m not surprised at his choice as the view is always better on the heights (as I can attest this morning); clarity is not often interrupted by sight or sound. There is a lot more to reflect on in the passage from this morning. Take just the following lines (a shortened version):

Jesus went up the mountain and summoned those whom he wanted and they came to him. He named them (the Twelve) Apostles and anointed them to preach and to drive out demons.

It sounds like Jesus went up the mountain with a purpose. Was there a crowd following him or had he already invited some people along on his journey? “Summoning” seems more determinative that inviting, especially as the gospel indicates that he wanted these particular “Twelve.” What did he see in them? There must’ve been more than good personality traits, although those are generally indicative of something deeper, because preaching and driving out demons/healing are rather specific skills. Or did the call of Jesus begin the transformation that allowed these skills to manifest in those chosen? I am most interested in the fact that these were those he wanted to be with him and they came. What that says to me is that Jesus was not interested in doing his ministry alone; he desired companions. What more might be discovered from a longer reflection on these words? I’ll have to let it sit in me since the long awaited sun just peeked out over Troy, New York and is now blazing forth with a call to prayer with my companions of the day, the Sisters who are likely already in the chapel waiting on the Lord. Such are the blessings to me this morning!

The Chosen

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apostles, God doesn't call the qualified. God qualifies the called, Jesus, Luke, mountain, prayer, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

This morning’s gospel (LK 6:12-19) is about the choice of those who will be the closest associates of Jesus during his public ministry. I’m interested most of all in the manner in which he went about choosing them. First, the gospel says, he spent the entire night alone on a mountain in prayer. What a great way to prepare for any serious decision! I’d prefer the daytime but there is something about the quiet in the dark of night that opens the heart to God – away from the distractions of the day. Jesus did this often so the point is not to be missed. Secondly, the gospel says that he gathered all his disciples around him and chose the twelve from among them. This implies more familiarity with his followers than what we read elsewhere about him walking down the beach stopping along the way to say, “Follow me” to some of the fishermen. The upshot of that point is that among those he apparently knew somewhat he chose men that included a political zealot, an impulsive fisherman who would later deny him, two brothers who wanted to have the places of honor in his kingdom (or were at least open to that idea from their mother) and the one who betrayed him into the hands of those who crucified him.

All of this reminds me that Jesus wasn’t necessarily looking for the best and the brightest. Luke, more than all the other gospel writers, was determined to make the point that “all are welcome in the kingdom of God” so it was important that “real people” like you and me be chosen as the apostles. It reminds me of a slogan I have seen lately that says, “God doesn’t call the qualified. God qualifies the called.” We need to read the lives and works of the apostles in the post-resurrection Christian community in order to see that the choices of Jesus paid off. I plan to be growing in consciousness of my call right up to the moment of my death, letting go of the missteps, the failures – which I’m coming to see more as learning events – and giving thanks for all that brings me closer to that Love that created me and will surely lead me back home in the end.