Fr. Tony’s Midweek Message
Yearning and Awe
February 17, 2016
4th Century
deacon, ascetic and poet St. Ephrem the Syrian, called the “Harp of the Holy Spirit” by
Eastern Church writers, wrote 400 or so metrical doctrinal poems (madrashe) in
Syriac, the later form of Jesus’ native
tongue, Aramaic. I was struck by one
recently that talks about faith and fear:
I stood halfway, caught
Between awe and love.
Yearning for Paradise
Invited me to explore.
Awe at its glory
Kept me back from the search.
But Lady Wisdom
Helped me reconcile the two.
I could stand in silent awe at what remained hidden.
And I could meditate upon the bits that God chose to
reveal.
Searching was for my growth and benefit.
Reverent silence was for my consolation and help.
(Hymns on Paradise 1:2, my translation)
In Lent, we often are
caught unawares by moments of brilliance.
These may make us question foundations and assumptions, and can be very
unnerving. But it is important not to
draw back. It is important not to treat
such wonder lightly or in a jaded chatty fashion. Faith is trust above all else, and trust helps
dispel fear. We need to take such strange new things and “treasure
them in our heart” like the Blessed Virgin after the scene in the Temple with
twelve-year old Jesus (Luke 2). Search is
for our growth and benefit. And
attentive silence in the presence of wonder helps us deal with the uncertainty that
comes automatically with being on the Way with Jesus.
Grave and Peace,
Fr. Tony+
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