Fr Matthew Reese

1 The Lord is King; let the people tremble; * 
he is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth shake.  

2 The Lord is great in Zion; * 
he is high above all peoples.

3 Let them confess his Name, which is great and awesome; * 
he is the Holy One.
—Psalm 99:1-3

Dear Friends in Christ,

This morning’s Psalms are 97, 99, and 100, the first two of which give us a vision of the people of God in fear and trembling. In Psalm 97, we read,

2 Clouds and darkness are round about him, * 
righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne. 

3 A fire goes before him * 
and burns up his enemies on every side.  

4 His lightnings light up the world; * 
the earth sees it and is afraid.

Such language for God was rather unpopular for the latter part of the twentieth century, and indeed—in some quarters—still is. Frequently dismissed as “fire-and-brimstone,” or as antiquated, this imagery has been subordinated to the broader claim that “God is Love.” Of course, this is true (1 John 4:8). Scripture is replete with testaments to God’s lovingkindness, and his steadfast love that endures (Psalm 136:1). The essence of the Law is love (Deuteronomy 10:12), as is the New Covenant embodied in Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:37-40). God is Love, but that core Christian message does not mean we should not still approach Him with fear and trembling.

Indeed, if we are really to consider the God who has “made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that therein is” (Psalm 146:5) how could we approach Him otherwise? This is the same God through whom—in the words of the Easter Exultet—“wickedness is put to flight, and sin is washed away.”

“Christ broke the bonds of death and hell,” the Deacon sings, “and rose victorious from the grave. How wonderful and beyond our knowing, O God, is your mercy and loving-kindness to us, that to redeem a slave, you gave a Son.”

Who, in looking at the enormity of the sea, or the towering peaks of mountains, has not felt fear and trembling? Who has not been stunned at the awe of creation?

How much greater still is its—is our—Creator.

In past times, when most Christians only received the Eucharist a few times a year, approaching the altar was a momentous occasion, one for fasting and preparation. We are much enriched by our more regular receptions, but perhaps we have lost that sense of awe. This week, as we come to the Sacrament, let us remember that this is the Creator of Heaven and Earth. And let us “confess his Name, which is great and awesome.”

Yours in Christ,

—Fr Matthew