South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge

                                                                                         Holy Mystery, Source of Life      

And so, thanksgiving has come and gone, the gathering of families and the feasting on the bounty of the land as a celebration of thanksgiving to God now a happy memory. How do you feel now?  Satisfied? Exhausted? Fulfilled? Sluggish? While all that food is so tempting and irresistible, we often find ourselves over-indulging and then feeling exhausted especially after the big cleanup of all the pots, pans, dishes, glasses, and the house. In some cases, it might seem overwhelming, and we may feel we've reached a proverbial saturation point, and we need some recovery time and a recovery space.

As I reflect on my bible study reading for this week, Exodus 33: 18 - 23 reading I relate to a weary, exhausted Moses in a conversation with God, revealing an intimate caring loving relationship. In this conversation Moses asks God to reveal himself.

" Moses said, 'Please, let me see your Glory.'.

God said,' I will make my goodness pass right in front of you; I'll call out the name, God, right before you. I'll treat well

whomever I want to treat well, and I'll be kind to whomever I want to be kind.'

God continued,' But you may not see my face. No one can see me and live.' "

Show me, show me, show me. We humans certainly are a curious bunch. Even one of God's greatest servants, Moses, said “Let me see your face” to God.

"SHOW ME A SIGN, A NEON SIGN, ANYTHING!!!", a young woman said to God in a counselling session when she wanted to know God's will in an agonizing decision.

Isn't that that typical? We want unambiguous signs...... Show me your face! in other words, are you here? I can't see you......It's like the Doubting Thomas syndrome. And yet I wonder.... what faith would there be in a world where the Creator intruded so powerfully that we had no choice but to believe. What freedom would we have if we were coerced, or forced to believe, or if all divine mystery was revealed?

God tells Moses that his face will be forever hidden. For anyone who sees the face of God will not live....... It is this mystery that gives life, that keeps us going. God tells Moses that God will be known through proclamation:

            "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I  will proclaim the name of the Lord before you."

This conversation, then between Yahweh and Moses is about God's character and presence in our lives, not God's whole being. It's about God's goodness, grace, and mercy to be known and not God's face to be seen. No one can behold or contemplate the full essence of divinity except as God chooses to make this known. We can receive divine mercy, and learn the divine will, but the whole of the mystery we call God remains a mystery.

We do not always see or understand what God is doing, but as time unfolds, and our journey continues, we may come to understand the quiet and hidden things God has been doing in our lives. By faith, we must travel....                                                                                                      Please know this.... God is with you.... Shalom                         PT.

South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge...We Are Linked In LOVE!!

CULTUS UNITED CHURCH: Located at  748-6th Concession Road ENR, Cultus, Ontario            WORSHIPS on Sundays at  9:00am        ALL SERVICES CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

COURTLAND UNITED CHURCH: Located at 133 Talbot Street, Courtland, Ontario                        WORSHIPS on SUNDAYS AT 10:30am     ALL SERVICES CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE      

Our Mission Statement:   The South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge is called to be a Christian community empowered and inspired by the Holy Spirit and to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

CONTACT US:   EMAIL: swnpc@yahoo.ca                  Office Phone: 519-688-4050

OUR MAILING ADDRESS:       South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge, P.O.Box 129, 119 Talbot Road, Courtland, On., N0J1E0

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