Last Sunday, in our reading from the book of Exodus, we were reminded of Moses and the Israelite people still on their journey to freedom, fearful and unsure of what was to come. God, with the help of Moses, is attempting to cultivate a covenantal relationship with the people, but it is not easy as they yearn for a concrete image of God to “go before them” and lead the way. Like people across the ages, they yearned to see the face of God so that they could indeed be assured that God was there always, protecting them. We too yearn to be assured that God is near to us on our journeys, that God has not forgotten us. I recall a conversation after church one week when we were emerging from the Covid crisis and someone asked if I thought that God had gone on vacation. Sometimes, when the news is so hard, we may wonder if God is still there. Are you listening God? Can you hear the cries of your people? Let us pray, You know each one of us by name, O God, and in your sight we have found favor, yet our minds cannot comprehend the vision of your glory or the vastness of your love. Help us to be mindful of the many ways in which you are present in us and through us and in the beauty of all creation. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The writer, John Goldingay, explains, that “The word for ‘presence,’ panim, literally means ‘face.’ A person’s face tells us that the person is with us. It shines out with the person’s love and concern.” Instead of seeing God as fearsome and terrifying, we and all believers long to see the face of God shining upon us with love and concern.
I wonder at times if God’s face is hidden, because we, all of us, are meant to put on the face of God, to be the holy presence to one another? Certainly Jesus references this very idea when he reminds us in Matthew of the two greatest Commandments to love God and to love our neighbors.
In Paul’s letter today to the Thessalonians, we hear Paul’s kind words to the the community there to continue to be Christ to one another. Paul writes in his letter, “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy from the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you… in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9 For they report about us what kind of welcome we had among you and how you turned to God.” Paul’s ministry through correspondence was a powerful one. He showed up in person to make connections and teach the message of Jesus and then he would write to the various communities to encourage them in their faith. He would always remind them of his love and of the love of God and of the message of Jesus and how they were to live in community, how they were to be present to one another and to the stranger in their midst. I think we all understand that words can be beautiful but if they are not put into action, they have little meaning.
Years ago, I saw a wonderful news story about someone who was indeed a presence of love to those he meets each day in his work. This particular story was about a man named Freddie Wiggins who has served as the custodian at this hospital in Nashville, TN for 37 years. He has a fine voice and loves to sing as he sweeps or mops the floors. In fact, they speak of his mop as his prop. And so as he made his way down the corridors, people could hear him sing songs like, “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day…” or other uplifting tunes that added joy to an otherwise often serious atmosphere. Even more important than his music was the spirit of welcome he shared with those who walked through the doors. He greeted all the nurses and doctors as they headed out to make their rounds, offering fist bumps and words of cheer. And for patients who were feeling heavy hearted, he brought a smile and a word of encouragement. Some cancer patients who had to return frequently for treatment looked forward to his greeting hugs as they walked through the door. Everyone was welcome in his eyes and he brought something very special to that hospital. He was the ambassador; the chaplain; he was the presence of Christ to everyone he met.
In recent months, Rich and I watched a film about the events following the bombing of the plane in Lockerbie Scotland. Much like the people of Gander, Newfoundland after 9/11, the community in Scotland took it upon themselves to be a compassionate presence and support to the survivors and to the families who made their way there after the deaths of their loved ones. There was a group of women who worked tirelessly to provide meals, clothing, and yes, loving presence to the walking wounded who were so traumatized by what had happened. I wasn’t sure I wanted to see the film, but it dealt more with the investigation behind the scenes. And it turned out to be a film that left me inspired by the ways in which a community could choose to respond in a deeply compassionate way in the midst of a tragedy. In fact, the care they extended to so many of the families who chose to visit the site in person was extraordinary and sadly, far outshone any personal response from our own government at the time.
As we listen to these readings today gathered as a faith community, we too may have had moments when we long to see the face of God, and yet, have we not seen it in the eyes of a loving parent or friend along the journey of our lives? And, it also invites us to consider, what does our presence bring to others? Does our face shine with love and concern for those we meet? Union Church has the wonderful motto, “peace and Presence” by the Sea, and in these words, the community is saying that God is present here and that we, as people of faith, are called to be a holy Presence for our world in whatever simple ways we can… day to day.
I’m mindful that the elections are fast approaching in a little over a week. We pray that they will be safe and fair and that all those who show up to vote will be able to cast their ballots without fear. I was thinking about an election years ago when I read the reading from today. The slogan was, ‘are you better off today then you were 4 years ago.’ It has always bothered me because, as Christians, we are always called to consider the needs of our neighbors, to love our neighbors…and so we might ask, are our neighbors better off today than they were 4 years ago. Perhaps you, like me, are worried about our neighbors, whether they be so many who are worried about paying the high heating costs or for food or affording health care and so much else. As discouraged as so many of us are about the state of the world these days, I hope you all have a plan to vote or have already voted. And, if you need a ride to the polls, please let me know. I’m sure we can get you there. Elections are not everything, but they are certainly a way to care for our communities and for one another.
I’m sure many of you have seen the musical or the film Les Miserables, based on the fine novel by Victor Hugo, and the lyrics in one of those beautiful songs are based on words he wrote in the book. He said, “To love another person is to see the face of God.” God’s face is not hidden from view; it is there when someone looks at us and we respond with the same love and concern that God shares with us in every moment of our lives.