Great things beyond understanding

0:05

The Promise

The Porter's Gate

Today is Wednesday the 30th of September, the feast of Saint Jerome, in the 26th week of Ordinary Time.

Molly Parden and Jonathan Odgen sing, ‘The Promise’. Hear these lyrics about God’ creation and join in with the sense of awe for God’s love for our universe.

This gift you gave

From the beginning

Warm light, dry land

Blue water brimming

And more, from the earth

There came a growing

From seed to bloom

All the while you were sowing

It was love, love

Given in the water

And peace, God's peace

Written in the letters

Of the earth, God’s earth

Given with the promise

Can we keep it?

Can we keep it?

And stars in the night

To gaze on them kindly

Great light, cool moon

All aligned in the sky, see

From watеr came light

And so from the land

To feed and not to fight

To stand hand and hand

It was love, lovе

Given in the starlight

And peace, God's peace

Given in the sunshine

On the earth, God's earth

Given with the promise

Can we keep it?

Can we keep it?

Out from the silence

I hear a voice, I follow it onwards

You whispered to me

I am reminded

Of every gift you gave

So Spirit, lead me unto the waters

Unto the earth you made

Teach me the secret to ever care for

To ever look after it

It was love, love

Given in the water

And peace, God’s peace

Written in the letters

Of the earth, God's earth

Given with the promise

Can we keep it?

Can we keep it?

Can we keep it?

4:38

Today’s reading is from the Book of Job.

Job 9:1-12, 14-16

Then Job answered:

‘Indeed I know that this is so;

but how can a mortal be just before God?

If one wished to contend with him,

one could not answer him once in a thousand.

He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength

—who has resisted him, and succeeded?—

he who removes mountains, and they do not know it,

when he overturns them in his anger;

who shakes the earth out of its place,

and its pillars tremble;

who commands the sun, and it does not rise;

who seals up the stars;

who alone stretched out the heavens

and trampled the waves of the Sea;

who made the Bear and Orion,

the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;

who does great things beyond understanding,

and marvellous things without number.

Look, he passes by me, and I do not see him;

he moves on, but I do not perceive him.

He snatches away; who can stop him?

Who will say to him, “What are you doing?”

How then can I answer him,

choosing my words with him?

Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him;

I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.

If I summoned him and he answered me,

I do not believe that he would listen to my voice.

6:41

with embers illuminated

Job contemplates the greatness of God. He speaks of mountains being moved, stars being created, and wonders beyond human understanding. As you listen to these images, where do you encounter a sense of wonder in your own life? When have you found yourself aware of something greater than yourself, something that invited you to pause and take notice?

For Job, God's greatness is both beautiful and overwhelming. He wonders how he could ever find the right words before such a powerful God. Yet he does not turn away. How do you approach God today? What do you bring into this time of prayer? Is there something you long to say, but struggle to put into words?

Job says, "He passes by me, and I do not see him." As you hear the scripture again, stay with those words. Have there been times when God's presence felt hidden or difficult to recognise? Or perhaps moments that, looking back now, reveal signs of God's quiet companionship, even when you could not see it at the time.

9:34

Job 9:1-12, 14-16

Then Job answered:

‘Indeed I know that this is so;

but how can a mortal be just before God?

If one wished to contend with him,

one could not answer him once in a thousand.

He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength

—who has resisted him, and succeeded?—

he who removes mountains, and they do not know it,

when he overturns them in his anger;

who shakes the earth out of its place,

and its pillars tremble;

who commands the sun, and it does not rise;

who seals up the stars;

who alone stretched out the heavens

and trampled the waves of the Sea;

who made the Bear and Orion,

the Pleiades and the chambers of the south;

who does great things beyond understanding,

and marvellous things without number.

Look, he passes by me, and I do not see him;

he moves on, but I do not perceive him.

He snatches away; who can stop him?

Who will say to him, “What are you doing?”

How then can I answer him,

choosing my words with him?

Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him;

I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.

If I summoned him and he answered me,

I do not believe that he would listen to my voice.

11:25

Job does not hide his questions from God. He speaks honestly, bringing both his wonder and his uncertainty. As this prayer draws to a close, speak with God from where you are today. What would you like to say to him? What hope, question, gratitude, or longing would you like to place before him in your own words? Rest for a moment in his presence, trusting that he hears you.

13:27

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen