Pictures

The young man’s eyes shine with the light of a new dawn in spring. He is standing, trembling, at the head of an aisle, watching as a vision of shimmering loveliness floats up the aisle toward him. Can it possibly be true that she has chosen him? Forever? Will she ever regret it? Will she always reflect back the glow of his eyes as she does now, or will she turn away? In his heart is a steadfast, unbreakable determination that it won’t be because he fails her in any way. Ever.

That’s God’s face, looking at you. Isaiah 62:1-5.

The hen has black-and-white speckles on her feathers, and is always pretty, but today she is fluffed up, her wings slightly extended, and the black and white are more vivid than usual. She is making a low sound in her throat, an encouraging muk-muk-muk, and bobbing her head slightly. Around her dash and dart little black fluffballs with bits of yellowish white on them. When she gives her little call, they spread their ridiculous little dabs of winglet and run under the outstretched wings almost too quickly to see. Some peek out from under her breast. One pops through a wing feather and looks at the world from there. If you could ask them if they think they’re safe, they’d look at you uncomprehendingly. It doesn’t even occur to them to fear. Mother is here! What danger could possibly threaten?

Those are God’s wings, spread over you. Psalm 36:5-10.

The dancer sways and floats in the currents of music as if there were almost no gravity at all. Her head turns with a grace that brings a catch to the throat. Her hands float out to her sides, one higher, one lower, her fingers moving like leaves on the surface of a quiet brook. One leg bends, the other straightens, a toe points, a foot pirouettes, her neck turns with apparent effortlessness, a look  of almost angelic serenity hallows her face. All the parts of her body function as God must have originally created them to do. . . but if you asked her you’d learn of the hundreds of hours of sweat and soreness, tears and trying again.

This is the body of Christ, moved together by His great heart and mind. 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.

The wedding is over, but the bridegroom is still gazing unceasingly at the shyly downturned face of his new wife. Sometimes she looks up at him, and their eyes seem to ignite a spark that is almost visible to all in the room. They probably have no idea that the wine has run out, or what quality they are drinking, but at some point the steward hands the groom a cup and, his attention caught, the groom tastes and raises his eyebrows in surprise. The steward gestures to a quiet Man on the other side of the room and the bride and groom both look. This time the three-way eye contact is a living, vibrant thing. Stillness slides over all the guests for a moment, and the bride’s and groom’s hands meet and cling. Something—a promise, a blessing—something washes over them. They will never forget this moment.

Jesus announced His power and presence at a wedding, as if to say that’s one of the best earthly pictures of His love. John 2:1-11.

No human picture of the love of God is ever big enough, glorious enough, or unbelievable enough. But every one shines like one tiny facet on a diamond. These four are from the lectionary readings for this week.