Spirit & Life

Shining

Exodus 34:29-35
Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

And Luke 9:28-36

Reflection
On Good Friday, I was visiting around my Wards at the hospital and delivering an Easter Readings and Prayers resource I had put together. On entering a four-bed ward, I was greeted by a young, restless lady, who came forward to introduce herself as *Kay. I explained I was the UCA Chaplain/Spiritual Care Practitioner, visiting and offering the resource. The four women, from across four generations, had evidently become close over the days they were there. They cared for each other and shared in many conversations. Kay led me around the beds and introduced me to each person. Each one asked for the booklet and spoke warmly of their Church community. As we came towards the last person, Kay said “*Mary shines. She knows God.” Mary smiled at Kay, and reached out her hand which Kay held, with tears in her eyes. And Mary’s face shone indeed. Kay said she had heard of ‘church’ but had not ever really known about God, and wanted to know more from this ecumenical trio – Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant – who all were facing their mortality and illness with something she could not understand. Her life had been brutal. In this ward though, Kay had met faithful people who ‘have been kind’, loving her unconditionally, supporting each other without expecting anything in return. The octagenarian Mary led them in simple prayer together every night, and Kay felt peace revealed to her, something she had never known. Kay asked if we could all pray together from the booklet. So we did. God’s transformative, unconditional love and peace shone across the room. (*Not real names)

Prayer – Shining in the Light of your Love
In unexpected places, you reveal to us new insight.
At unanticipated moments, you resolve our clouded vision.
Through surprising people, we hear your voice with clarity.
Your presence shines, O God of Light,
opening us to greater understanding of living each day with you,
and drawing us to a deeper sense of peace.
You shine through the faces of love.
You resonate in the sound of joy.
You echo through soothing whispers of care,
and are felt in the hand reaching out in welcome.
We shine in the light of your love.

© Rev Anne Hewitt 24/02/2022
This reflection & prayer may be shared as long as the original writer is credited.

Contact Us 

Monday - Thursday
9:30am - 3.00pm
5/7 Gray Street,
Kilkenny, 5009

Please ring beforehand for appointment.

Rev Anne Hewitt
eo@churchestogethersa.org.au
0475 016 789

Office
admin@churchestogethersa.org.au
0477 019 163

Resources

Churches Together SA acknowledge the traditional custodians who have cared for this land for centuries.

We pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging across the many Nations of this Country.