We read one of my fav passages from the Bible today. "In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD..." very powerful imagery. It is the calling of Isaiah, who hears that God is looking for a messenger, and says what we all hope to sincerely say in our lives: "Here am I - send me."
One of the most interesting parts of the reading is the seraphim. There is a great deal of mystery around these beings... the word seems to mean "burning" or "one who burns" in Hebrew.
This calls many Biblical images to mind. One is, of course, the burning bush with which God speaks to Moses. Another is the flaming tongues that rest on the heads of the disciples in the book of Acts.
But, to me most applicably, it reminds me of the words of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appears to them and explains how He had fulfilled the prophecies in the OT about Him. And then (and importantly) He goes to their home, and when He breaks the bread, they realize who He is, and He vanishes. (Does this point to the Eucharist?)
But... the part of the story that strikes us today is what the disciples said afterwards. When Jesus spoke to them, the two men said it made "their hearts burn within them."
This leads us to the take home message today. And I give you the words of St Catherine of Siena: "Be who God created you to be, and you will set the world on fire." God spoke to Moses through a burning bush that was not consumed (it just kept burning, but was still a bush). He sent a burning angel with a burning coal to purify Isaiah so he could do his work and serve God. And he set the disciples hearts and heads on fire with His words of eternal life.
How does He desire to set you on fire today?
Thank You, God, for Your flames, which purify and inspire us to set the world ablaze with Your love.
2 comments:
Some of the most powerful scriptures. There are a few songs that we sing at mass that I can barely sing. My first exposure to them was when Brian entered seminary in Grand Coteau. It's the calling of God ( from these scriptures) to Brian. I was somewhat proud, but not being Catholic at the time it was also heart breaking. This was my baby and God was taking him for the fulfillment of His plan for Brian's life. I experienced again even harder when Jeff entered seminary. These two are my pride and joy, and God was taking them according to their listening to His call. Most people say to us, You must be so proud of your sons, well yeah but I wanted to keep them. This is where some of my understanding of Mary comes fully into view. The love I feel for my two sons is beyond words and seeing them do what God tells them is gratifying however, it is like a lose I can't explain. Over time, my acceptance has grown and my pride of them but the songs I still can not sing without tears. "Here they are Lord," send them.
Beautiful and tender-- your response as a mother, surrendering to God. He is noticing your humility and grace!
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