Not in the wind, nor in the fire

Storm clouds over Missiquoi Bay, August 2003. Photo by Michael.


This morning I was the lector at 9:00 Mass, and the first reading moved me greatly. The Hebrew prophet Elijah is on the run, seeking a sign of God's succor from his enemies:

At the mountain of God, Horeb,
Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter.
Then the LORD said to him,
"Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD;
the LORD will be passing by."

A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains
and crushing rocks before the LORD--
but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake--
but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire--
but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a

A "tiny whispering sound" - wonderful! Elijah recognized God -- not in spectacles of might and power, but in a sound like the wings of a moth.

With our constant need to declare our presence -- via cell phones, stereos, iPods, blaring televisions -- with all the NOISE of simply being in today's world, who among us will attend? Who will hear the tiny whispering sound affirming that God is present?