Fear And Trembling


Monday, July 31 0 St. Ignatius of Loyola


€ You were unmindful of the Rock that begot you,
You forgot the God who gave you birth.
When the Lord saw this, he was filled with loathing
and anger toward his sons and daughters.
Deuteronomy 32:18-19

An author asked in an article recently: Why do we Christians so seldom tremble? "Is it because trembling is out of fashion, inconsistent with the modern spirit? Or is it because I've let God go out of fashion, closing my eyes and ears to all that is holy?"

I thought of that article later when I saw a depiction of the Annunciation by Italian artist Lorenzo Lotto ... Mary looks startled-downright scared to death-at the appearance of the angel. She shrinks away from Gabriel as if she cannot bear the sight of him. Her hands are raised in surprise, her head is tucked down in fear. In other words, Mary is trembling. God the Father is also shown not as someone soft and gentle, but as strong and stern ...

Would we be wise to reflect on trembling? Is there a place for trembling in our relationship with God? Do we, ever tremble or have we made God too warm and cuddly? Too ordinary? Does God ever disturb us?

Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.
in Rummaging For God


Jeremiah 13:1-11 9 Deuteronomy 32:18-21
Matthew 13:31-35