Daily Retreat 08/11/08
2008 Aug 11 Mon: Clare, v, rf M
Ez 1: 2-5. 24-28c/ Ps 148: 1-2. 11-12. 13. 14/ Mt 17: 22-27
From today’s readings: “Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day was the splendor that surrounded Him. Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.... Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights; Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts.... The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day....”
Theophany
In a way, none of the Old Testament prophets was “typical” - they all have distinguishing traits, and delivered their messages from God in different manners. Yet still, Ezekiel stands out as particularly sui generis - the first thing that strikes most people about this seer who prophesied to the exiles in Babylon (the land of the Chaldeans) is his mysticism, and his detailed and complicated visions.
Take a deep breath, then read all of chapter one of Ezekiel, the magnificent theophany (vision of God). Like the Book of Revelation, Ezekiel’s visions attempt to describe heavenly realities in earthly terms, so it’s no wonder that they come across as fantastical, bizarre, and even beyond human imagination. That scares some people so much, they just stop reading!
But don’t let that happen to you as the lectionary samples Ezekiel’s writings over the next couple of weeks! Instead, just read and take in the visions and symbolic actions in the same way you would struggle with a vivid dream, full of significance but quite cryptic as to an exact meaning. At times, historical cultural background will provide clues to understanding. And sometimes, keys to interpretation can be found elsewhere in Scripture. Only occasionally will I even dare to offer my own best guess, but don’t expect me to explain everything and solve all the riddles - no one on earth can do that, because remember, transcendent heavenly realities are being portrayed in our necessarily inadequate earthly language: Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD!
Ez 1: 2-5. 24-28c/ Ps 148: 1-2. 11-12. 13. 14/ Mt 17: 22-27
From today’s readings: “Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day was the splendor that surrounded Him. Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.... Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the heights; Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts.... The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day....”
Theophany
In a way, none of the Old Testament prophets was “typical” - they all have distinguishing traits, and delivered their messages from God in different manners. Yet still, Ezekiel stands out as particularly sui generis - the first thing that strikes most people about this seer who prophesied to the exiles in Babylon (the land of the Chaldeans) is his mysticism, and his detailed and complicated visions.
Take a deep breath, then read all of chapter one of Ezekiel, the magnificent theophany (vision of God). Like the Book of Revelation, Ezekiel’s visions attempt to describe heavenly realities in earthly terms, so it’s no wonder that they come across as fantastical, bizarre, and even beyond human imagination. That scares some people so much, they just stop reading!
But don’t let that happen to you as the lectionary samples Ezekiel’s writings over the next couple of weeks! Instead, just read and take in the visions and symbolic actions in the same way you would struggle with a vivid dream, full of significance but quite cryptic as to an exact meaning. At times, historical cultural background will provide clues to understanding. And sometimes, keys to interpretation can be found elsewhere in Scripture. Only occasionally will I even dare to offer my own best guess, but don’t expect me to explain everything and solve all the riddles - no one on earth can do that, because remember, transcendent heavenly realities are being portrayed in our necessarily inadequate earthly language: Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD!
posted by FrPitstick | 8/10/2008
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