In the Presence of the Holy One

Today we witness three encounters with the Holy One in three different settings, but with three similar responses, both immediate and long-term. Isaiah’s vision of God in the temple included angels surrounding God and praising God’s glory. His immediate response was fear and unworthiness at seeing the living God. But God’s compassionate action of purifying his lips leads Isaiah to offer his service. 

For Simon Peter, the experience of the holy came when a stranger walked by as Simon was finishing an unsuccessful night of fishing. Jesus got into his boat, taught the crowds first, then turned to Simon. Something in Jesus’ manner must have persuaded Simon to follow his directions. The result was so many fish that the boats almost sank. Simon suddenly knew he was in the presence of the Holy One. Unworthiness and fear flooded his heart, but, as God did with Isaiah, Jesus removed Simon’s fear and Simon followed him. 

Paul briefly alludes to his own unworthiness to be an apostle, rooted in his experience of the Holy One on the road to Damascus. He witnesses to God’s grace at work by preaching what has been handed on to him: that Christ died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and appeared to Paul, the least of all the apostles. 

An experience of the holy can come to us in church, in the midst of our work, or even when we are heading in a very different direction than the one God has planned for us. Pray God we will respond to it. 

Consider/Discuss

• Are you are open to the presence of the Holy One in worship and in daily life? 
• What does it mean to say, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed”? 

Responding to the Word

O Holy God, we pray that we may be open to recognizing your holy presence wherever and however you show yourself to us. Do not let fear of our unworthiness prevent us from responding to your invitation to serve you in whatever way you ask.