The Heavenly Host

Scripture             Luke 2:8-20
Focus Verse        Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
 and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

After the angel delivered the message to the shepherds, it was accompanied by a multitude of the “heavenly host” to send them off to find the Messiah.  The heavenly host refers to an army of angels mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments.  

What a beautiful song they sing, this army of angels who dwell in God’s presence!  The main purpose of the Heavenly Host is to continually praise God, but they are also sent by God (as messengers) to assist, strengthen and comfort human beings.  

Reflection:  How are you praising God these days?  In prayers of adoration, we praise God for who God is … what is your prayer of adoration?  In prayers of thanksgiving, we praise God for what God has done in our lives.  What is your prayer of thanksgiving?  Write down your prayers.

If music is a pathway to God for you, you might want to listen and watch Libera sing “Angels we have Heard on High."  Libera is a not for profit boys singing group, based in the South London.  

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

Show me Your Glory ...

Beloved of God ... Breathe deeply and take a few moments to center yourself on God who is always present with us.  As you breathe, let all of your distractions float away ...

As you breathe, say a breath prayer
     Inhale:   Lord of Moses  ...
     Exhale:  show me your glory  ...
repeat your breath prayer until you feel it is time to move from prayer into sacred reading, and then ...
     

     Pray:   revealed in this sacred text

Read the passage slowly and open your heart and mind as you read...

Exodus 33:12-23

Moses said to the LORD, "See, you have said to me, 'Bring up this people'; but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.'  Now if I have found favor in your sight, show me your ways, so that I may know you and find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people."  He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."  And he said to him, "If your presence will not go, do not carry us up from here.  For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people, unless you go with us? In this way, we shall be distinct, I and your people, from every people on the face of the earth."  The LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing that you have asked; for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name."  Moses said, "Show me your glory, I pray."  And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you the name, 'The LORD'; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.  But," he said, "you cannot see my face; for no one shall see me and live."   And the LORD continued, "See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock;  and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back; but my face shall not be seen."

Read the passage again slowly and Reflect.  What word or phrase seems important to you as you read?   Repeat that word or phrase.  Ponder this Word and find wonder in it.  How does this Word speak to your relationship with God?    What you sense about who you are as a follower of God?   How do you feel about God?   How does God feel about you?  How do you feel about yourself?   Welcome your feelings ... whatever they may be.  Have mercy on yourself and simply let your feelings "be" without judging yourself through them.  

Read the passage again slowly and Respond.   Tell God how you feel and how you experience the presence of God through this text and your meditation with it?   What do you say to God about who God is to you and about who you are in God's presence?    What can you offer to God right now?   Take a moment to journal your feelings and your thoughts in a stream of consciousness ... and let it be what it will be.

Read the passage again and Rest.    Allow your mind to come to a sense of awe in the Presence of God.  Let the love and care of God cover you and hold you close …

When you sense the time to move on, Pray ...

Lord of Moses, be gracious, have mercy on me, and show me your glory as you care for me so tenderly.  Amen.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Cindy's Journal Reflection ... O God your presence is so strong and bright, too strong and too bright for me to contemplate.  Your glory is pure light, so pure that we cannot look upon you.  And yet, we must.  Look around and see the presence of God in every smile ... in every child ... in every circumstance and in all suffering.  You are there to give us rest from our quest ... deep deep rest.   Amen.