Just a word before we go...Third Sunday in Ordinary Time...January 22, 2023

Twice this weekend, in both Isaiah and in Mathew’s Gospel, we hear the words, “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”  Jesus, the great light, came among us and called together a community...to repent, yes, but also to join him in healing the world. The presence of Jesus clearly inspired a metanoia, a change of perspective, among those he called to walk with him, engendered by the feeling that Jesus evoked in them. This feeling could be referred to as “awe.” Jesus shared not only his mission with his followers, but also his power...they were his companions on the Way, his friends, not his subjects.  Gradually the disciples must have integrated their new found perspective into a change of heart, as they began to recognize the unfolding reign of God and worked to help implement it.

Hope Reese has authored a New York Times article entitled, “How a Bit of Awe Can Improve Your Life,” in which she quotes a prominent psychologist: “Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world.” This feeling of awe is not restricted to monumental occurrences, such as the disciples leaving everything to follow Jesus, but also can be accessed by us all, in viewing the ocean, having a grandchild run into your arms, in watching a gorgeous sunset. Even witnessing an act of kindness in our everyday lives can induce us to go and do likewise. Experiencing awe goes beyond making the world a better place, to having physiological effects...promoting well-being by calming and healing the nervous system, leading to greater trust in life and in others.  Awe brings us out of ourselves, by silencing the inner voice that can suggest that we are not good enough, and inviting us to engage with the world. Awe opens us to perceive a greater depth of meaning in the circumstances of our lives. We swim in an ocean replete with awe-some experiences.

I can attest to the psychologist’s description of awe...a feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends my understanding of the world. It happens to me when I am in the presence of this congregation...I am in awe of who you are and who we all become as we celebrate together.  I am in awe of what you do for one another and for the world.

And I would suggest that is due to the grace of the great light that is Jesus, who has commissioned us to be his friends, to work with him in his mission to heal the world. He has given us example and the power to help the reign of God unfold.  And how awesome is that?