The Noontimes

Monday, December 19, 2011 – Numbers 9:15-23 – God’s Presence in the Desert

Yesterday we reflected on the image of the fiery cloud, the pillar of smoke and flame that both guides and protects the Hebrews.  Today we remain for a while in this image as we begin our final desert crossing to Christmas.  Many of us have too much to do in the days that run up to December 25^th.  We must be wary of placing all our energy in the physical preparations for the coming holiday because we will need much more than food, water, and a sturdy tent to cross through the desert of consumerism; we will need patience and forbearance, to navigate shopping malls, food stores and traffic.  And we will need forgiveness and compassion to plot a successful course through tricky family dynamics, demanding colleagues, and the needs of friends and strangers.  We will want to fill our internal stores with heavy doses of God’s Word, God’s voice . . . and God’s presence. 

So much of life seems to be a desert existence, a constant struggle against unseen but powerful forces that appear to control all we do and much of what we think.  In dark days we struggle against headwinds that deliver blasts of driven sand; we hunker down in our tents to secure ourselves against the onslaught.  When we must move from place to place, we barely survive the trek from one oasis to the next.  There are times of happiness in which we experience joy; yet with those times there is often a sense of impending doom; somewhere inside us is a haunting that tells us to enjoy our contentment while it lasts because darkness stalks us on each leg of our journey.   The desert crossing is one we do not want to experience alone.   We know that we will need both stamina and provisions yet where do we find the surety and comfort that will see us through?  There is only one presence that provides all for the body, mind and soul . . . the presence of God. 

It is the fool who prepares carelessly for the wilderness journey; a wise woman or man goes first in search of God.  The fool stores up supplies and necessities; the wise one makes plans and trusts in the Lord.  The fool believes that security and comfort can be purchased; the wise one knows that happiness and eternal safety lie in doing what is just.  The fool relies on personal strength and durability; the wise one perseveres in seeking God, knowing that everything we need for the journey is found in one place . . . only in the presence of God.

The fiery cloud we reflect on today is a pre-figuration of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus sends after his Ascension to the Father as tongues of fire that produce speech that all can understand.  (Acts 2)  Just as Jesus and Scripture are the Word of God, The Holy Spirit is the Breath of God, and for that reason this advocate has inspired the writing of scripture. The symbols of the Holy Spirit are: water, the oil and the seal of anointing, fire, the hand/finger of Jesus who heals, the dove which finds the olive branch after the flood along with the dove which descends at Jesus’ baptism, and the image of cloud and light.  This cloud that accompanies the Hebrews, descends when Solomon builds the Temple in Jerusalem and also at Jesus’ Transfiguration.  This Spirit surrounds Jesus at his Ascension.   This Spirit lives with us today to accompany us on our desert wanderings.  This Spirit is the presence of God. 

I have always liked this image. It is, as we have said before in our Noontime reflections, not a place of destruction but a place of sure refuge, a place of certain peace.  It is something we can step into when we find we have a very difficult and frightening task to complete.  It is a fiery pillar of refinement that draws us toward and not away from God.  It is a blazing column of smoke and ash that scours off the excess of life to leave behind the pure gold of God’s presence.  It is the only sure guide and protector that will guarantee us safe passage through the searing experience of the desert. 

For more information about the Holy Spirit, see Article 8 in the Catechism at http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM