October 19, 2020

Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

Exodus 40:34-38
As Moses and the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, they were led each day by the presence of God.  The sign of God's presence was a cloud that either settled over the tent (the tabernacle, which was a portable place of worship), or lifted from the tent.  When the cloud was covering the tent, the people stayed where they were.  When it was lifted, they moved.  All eyes were trained to look for this sign, the cloud of the Lord, which would glow with fire through the night.  In this way, God and the people would journey together.

In these pandemic days, we could use such a sign from God to lead us through this wilderness.  Show us when it is safe to move.  Or, caution us to stay inside and isolated for a little while longer.  Maybe the graphs and numbers and infection rates and positivity percentages that we look at to measure Covid-19 are like the cloud of the Lord.  All we can do is trust when it says to slow down, and engage when it says to move forward.

And, we can attune ourselves to the world around us.  Take some time today, if you are able, and go outside.  Breathe the autumn air.  Look at the formation of the clouds.  Study the trees and their transformation.  Notice the sun and the stars and the moon.  Lift your eyes to observe creation.  What is God telling you?  Where is God leading you?  How is God present with you?  Give someone a call and talk with them about what you both are seeing and experiencing.

Peace,
Dean