Daniel 9: 4b-10
“Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments, we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.
“Righteousness is on your side, O Lord, but open shame, as at this day, falls on us, the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. Open shame, O Lord, falls on us, our kings, our officials, and our ancestors, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by following his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
A Great and Awesome God
There was a time when Daniel's prayer about God's mercy might have felt…condescending. I balked at the image of a "great and awesome God," resonating more with God coming as the most vulnerable - an infant born into turbulent times. And who is this "we" Daniel speaks of? Surely not me. Please, don't offer ME anything…get over yourself, God.
Fast forward to today, where I hope I have a better understanding of the incarnation, a broader picture of what "great and awesome" includes, and an acceptance of my being part of the "we" Daniel speaks of. In real terms: WE are a mess. Also in real terms: God is faithful. So much so, God came and dwelt among us as the most fragile, and in some circles, the most hated. God has never stopped rebuilding the bridge we repeatedly tear down. Our God is one of reparation. A God of healing. Offering again and again. God shows up when people like me rebel, protesting "No, God. I'm annoyed by you." God sees all of me. God pursues me. God loves me. Yeah…pretty great and awesome, indeed.
—Amanda B. Angaiak is the Director of Catholic Schools of Fairbanks, and President of Monroe Foundation, Inc. in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Prayer
Giver of grace and God of healing, you offer mercy amidst my brokenness and call me to renewal. Grant that I trust in your great and awesome love, even when I feel unworthy. Amen.
—Amanda B. Angaiak
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