‘The same God that said, ‘Let there be light shining out of darkness’, has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Christ’ 2 Corinthians 4
In an earlier existence as a research Chemist I was involved in CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research and its particle accelerator which has in recent years done so much to reveal the origins of the Universe by recreating the aftermath of the Big Bang that science now assumes started all things.
Faith in the Big Bang among scientists happily coincides with the Bible’s affirmation that God himself acted in creation saying ‘Let there be light shining out of darkness’.
In our special reading from 2 Corinthians for the feast of the missionary Pope Gregory the apostle Paul tells his readers of not one but two Big Bangs.
‘The same God that said, ‘Let there be light shining out of darkness’, has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Christ’
Christians believe there are two major explosions that make history. The radiant energy that flows from creation and that which flows from the coming of Jesus and the Spirit.
When Gregory sent us Augustine with the news of Jesus he was carried forward in that purpose by the momentum of mission that flows back to Lady Day, the day Jesus came into Our Lady’s womb.
Just as the first Big Bang gave out light, heat and physical energy so the radiant power of the Spirit of Jesus makes a tremendous difference to the world lightening minds, warming hearts and galvanising wills.
In this Eucharist we are caught up into that radiant power of Jesus, the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Christ. As we lift our hearts we are ourselves lifted into the same momentum of mission that Gregory was lifted into when God said ‘send Augustine to Britain’.
‘The same God that said, ‘Let there be light shining out of darkness’, has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Christ’
We bless the Lord God of all creation at every Eucharist for the bread and wine that earth has given. We go on to bless him for his second great act in sending Jesus and the Spirit. We go on to plead that the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Christ will irradiate us this very day as we hear his word and celebrate his sacrifice.
Irradiate our minds with Christ’s light, driving away the negative thinking that so often defeats our witness.
Irradiate our hearts with the Spirits’ fire so that all we do today we may do in love and not just because it has to be done.
Irradiate our wills to empower them, grasping us and carrying us forward from this altar to be his joyful instruments.
Yes the Eucharist is – or should be – like having someone – God in this case – putting a rocket under you to get you going. So be it at this altar this day!
No comments:
Post a Comment