Paul (Proper A22)

God’s voice is fearful and awful.  

When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking, they were afraid and trembled and stood at a distance, and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or

  His law is impressed on the heart of his people with fear and trembling.  It thunders and shatters our hearts.  

It also caresses us and whispers to us.  His beauty is seen through out creation.

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;

Paul says he had every reason to be confident, blameless under the law. But then he found in knowing Christ Jesus his Lord the whisper of love that shattered him and traumatized him until he counts everything as dung compared to knowing him!

Has the word of Love shattered us? Have we been so overwhelmed that we feel privileged to share in his suffering?  I just went on a Walk to Emmaus, and now at last know what it is to be traumatized by his love and be joined to the body of Christ. Have you ever felt it?