A heavenly voice spoke to a devote Jewish goldsmith saying that “dabar” was capable of gradually changing him into the likeness of God. The goldsmith’s response was immediately “Me, an ordinary goldsmith, as gentle and compassionate as God? No, impossible!” [1]
The following Sabbath, the Rabbi began the reading of scripture by saying,
“And God spoke.” Upon hearing these words, the goldsmith jumped up onto his feet and shouted, “God speaks! Do you understand, brothers and sisters? Can you believe that such a miraculous thing could happen here: God speaks?!... The goldsmith carried on so much that he had to be escorted out of the synagogue, where he called out to passersby, ‘God speaks!’ Can believe that such a miraculous thing could happen? God speaks!” [2]
Elias Marechal, Trappist monk at Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers Georgia, shares this story in Tears of an Innocent God…Conversations on Silence, Kindness and Prayer. The Hebrew term “dabar” literally translates to “word” but it really means much more. “It is divine, creative, life-sustaining and life-giving energy, a transforming power come to us from beyond.” [3]
As is our monthly practice, a beautiful group of people from all walks of life, gathered in front of my fireplace and Christmas tree this week. One of the group led Lectio Divina (ancient practice of reading scripture for divine inspiration or listening for God speaking through the Word) with a familiar passage:
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2: 8-12 ESV
What was the shepherd’s first reaction to the Angel who said, “Fear not”? They were filled with fear! The angel was unexplainable; powerful; unknown. They felt powerless. Or the reaction of the goldsmith when the heavenly voice told him that he could be formed into the image of God filled with gentleness and compassion? His reaction was “No Way!” He felt powerless.
It is no different today than in the days of the shepherds or the goldsmith. What is our first reaction to the unexplainable, powerful and unknown today? Our world that is so filled with death, destruction, terrorism, domestic violence, sex trafficking, chaotic political climate that is unexplainable, powerful and unknown?
Are we to be filled with fear? Are we to be powerlessness? Are we to say “No Way!” to believing that God speaks in today’s world? GodSpeech* is all around us. We need to open our eyes, our hearts and our minds to the way that God speaks to each of us individually.
Just as the goldsmith heard God speak, we are to become more aware through opening our eyes, ears and hearts to the transforming presence of the Lord in and around us. It is this compassion of the Lord that we are to share with others; one person; one moment; one situation at a time.
My son has an adorable English Cocker Spaniel who loves to give kisses (which I abhor!) When he jumps into my lap and starts covering my face in kisses, I shout sternly “No Kisses! No Kisses! To which my son laughs and says, “Mom don’t you know he only hears, “Kisses! Kisses!” Me thinks my son is correct as my protests only bring more kisses!
Don’t let Fear NOT become Fear in your life! Replace it with the joy of the gift of opening yourself to the GodSpeech in your life and be the light during this season and every hour of every day going forward.
*In the acknowledgements, Brother Elias credits Ben Campbell Johnson as a great influence in his writings. Dr. Johnson has two books articulating and personifying two aspects of GodSpeech (a word created and trademarked by BCJ).[4] The primary aspect is what God says to us and what we say to him and the secondary aspect is what we say about God. These writings help us interpret God’s speaking to us when we are preparing to listen and hear. GodSpeech brings the concept of dabar into modern day understanding and application. For more information on Ben Campbell Johnson’s inspiring and practical writings on listening and increasing awareness of the divine, www.theinstituteofchurchrenewal.com
[1] Marechal, Elias. Tears of an Innocent God, (New York/Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist Press, 2015) pg. 23.
[2] Ibid, pg 23.
[3] Ibid, pg 24.
[4] Johnson, Ben Campbell. The God Who Speaks: Learning the Language of God, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004) and GodSpeech: Putting Divine Disclosures into Human Words, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004)
The following Sabbath, the Rabbi began the reading of scripture by saying,
“And God spoke.” Upon hearing these words, the goldsmith jumped up onto his feet and shouted, “God speaks! Do you understand, brothers and sisters? Can you believe that such a miraculous thing could happen here: God speaks?!... The goldsmith carried on so much that he had to be escorted out of the synagogue, where he called out to passersby, ‘God speaks!’ Can believe that such a miraculous thing could happen? God speaks!” [2]
Elias Marechal, Trappist monk at Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers Georgia, shares this story in Tears of an Innocent God…Conversations on Silence, Kindness and Prayer. The Hebrew term “dabar” literally translates to “word” but it really means much more. “It is divine, creative, life-sustaining and life-giving energy, a transforming power come to us from beyond.” [3]
As is our monthly practice, a beautiful group of people from all walks of life, gathered in front of my fireplace and Christmas tree this week. One of the group led Lectio Divina (ancient practice of reading scripture for divine inspiration or listening for God speaking through the Word) with a familiar passage:
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2: 8-12 ESV
What was the shepherd’s first reaction to the Angel who said, “Fear not”? They were filled with fear! The angel was unexplainable; powerful; unknown. They felt powerless. Or the reaction of the goldsmith when the heavenly voice told him that he could be formed into the image of God filled with gentleness and compassion? His reaction was “No Way!” He felt powerless.
It is no different today than in the days of the shepherds or the goldsmith. What is our first reaction to the unexplainable, powerful and unknown today? Our world that is so filled with death, destruction, terrorism, domestic violence, sex trafficking, chaotic political climate that is unexplainable, powerful and unknown?
Are we to be filled with fear? Are we to be powerlessness? Are we to say “No Way!” to believing that God speaks in today’s world? GodSpeech* is all around us. We need to open our eyes, our hearts and our minds to the way that God speaks to each of us individually.
Just as the goldsmith heard God speak, we are to become more aware through opening our eyes, ears and hearts to the transforming presence of the Lord in and around us. It is this compassion of the Lord that we are to share with others; one person; one moment; one situation at a time.
My son has an adorable English Cocker Spaniel who loves to give kisses (which I abhor!) When he jumps into my lap and starts covering my face in kisses, I shout sternly “No Kisses! No Kisses! To which my son laughs and says, “Mom don’t you know he only hears, “Kisses! Kisses!” Me thinks my son is correct as my protests only bring more kisses!
Don’t let Fear NOT become Fear in your life! Replace it with the joy of the gift of opening yourself to the GodSpeech in your life and be the light during this season and every hour of every day going forward.
*In the acknowledgements, Brother Elias credits Ben Campbell Johnson as a great influence in his writings. Dr. Johnson has two books articulating and personifying two aspects of GodSpeech (a word created and trademarked by BCJ).[4] The primary aspect is what God says to us and what we say to him and the secondary aspect is what we say about God. These writings help us interpret God’s speaking to us when we are preparing to listen and hear. GodSpeech brings the concept of dabar into modern day understanding and application. For more information on Ben Campbell Johnson’s inspiring and practical writings on listening and increasing awareness of the divine, www.theinstituteofchurchrenewal.com
[1] Marechal, Elias. Tears of an Innocent God, (New York/Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist Press, 2015) pg. 23.
[2] Ibid, pg 23.
[3] Ibid, pg 24.
[4] Johnson, Ben Campbell. The God Who Speaks: Learning the Language of God, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004) and GodSpeech: Putting Divine Disclosures into Human Words, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004)