Word to the Wise
Monday, August 13, 2012 - Monday in the 19th Week in Ordinary Time
[Ezek 1:2-5, 24-28c and Matt 17:22-27]Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day was the splendor that surrounded him. Such was the vision of the likeness of the Lord. Ezek.
For the next few days, the prophecy of Ezekiel will be prominent in the first scripture of the day. One thing can definitely be said about these visions. They are vivid. The language is truly amazing. Much of it concerns the temple because Ezekiel was a priest. There are some really great moments like the vision of the dry bones in Chapter 37, the words about our responsibility for warning others in chapter 18, and the derelictions of the shepherds in chapter 34. Today we read of the call of Ezekiel to prophecy.
The creatures in Ezekiel's vision seem to be inspired by Babylonian mythology, but it is God's spirit that seizes him. In the last words of today's passage, quoted above, the Lord appears to him like a rainbow! Powerful visions can motivate to great things. Ezekiel would be putting his life on the line. We should not dismiss his visions and language as simply ancient stuff. The ones I entioned earlier have great staying power for our ow times. Stay tuned as we explore some of them in the days ahead. AMEN