Life was busy last week; I got my first seven-hour training week in for the year and it left me wrecked on Sunday. I was not able to get this post out like I intended. Post Long Covid is not fun sometimes.
Deuteronomy 30:19 – “Choose life so you and your descendants may live”
I have been thinking about the spiritual practice of reverence lately and what it means to revere something or somebody. To revere is to feel deep respect, admiration, and awe for someone or something, recognizing their intrinsic value and worth. It involves acknowledging the greatness or exceptional qualities of the revered person or object, and often results in a sense of humility and gratitude. Reverence can be directed towards nature, individuals, traditions, or higher powers, and it fosters a profound connection and appreciation that transcends the ordinary.
WWJD?
If we are to seriously consider what the first century Jesus would do (WWJD?), we need to seriously consider thinking like him. As I often do, I must turn to modern Judaism to understand the person I claim as my Lord and Savior.
Jewish reverence, known as yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven), is a core aspect of Jewish tradition. This word, fear is not the English sense of being frightened – it means that something has produced within us an experience that produced overwhelming wonderment. Think of the word awe. In the context of Judaism, yirah goes beyond the conventional understanding of fear as mere terror or anxiety. It encompasses a blend of reverence, awe, and deep respect in relation to something or someone.
I believe Reform Judaism’s idea of Yrat fits in with the way the historical Jesus would have approached it. In Reform Judaism, they seek “to find contemporary meaning and relevance in Jewish teachings while acknowledging the influence of modernity and individualistic perspectives.” Yirah is an invitation to cultivate a deeper sense of reverence, wonder and awe towards the divine. In developing this, our connections with the sacred become meaningful.
“Reform Judaism places a strong emphasis on love, compassion, and ethical living as central tenets of the faith. Yirah, in this context, inspires individuals to seek out a connection with G-d and explore the spiritual dimensions of life. It encourages a sense of humility before the divine and a recognition of the vastness and beauty of the universe.” These are all echoes of the historical Jesus.
Reverence and awe in the Jewish perspective can be summarized as follows. Consider the historical parallels between these points and the stories about Jesus in the Gospels and the Old Testament:
- Awe and Respect for God: Jews recognize God’s power and wisdom, leading to actions that honor God.
- Reverence in Worship and Prayer: Practices such as bowing and using respectful language highlight reverence during worship.
- Respect for Sacred Texts and Objects: Torah scrolls and other sacred texts are treated with great care and respect.
- Daily Life: Reverence extends to everyday actions, including kindness towards others and respect for parents and elders.
- Sabbath and Festivals: The Sabbath and festivals are observed with reverence and joy, marked by special customs.
- Temple in Jerusalem: Despite its absence, the Temple remains central in Jewish history and tradition.
- Value of Life: Preservation of human life, both physical and emotional, is highly valued.
- Environmental Stewardship: Caring for the environment is seen as a responsibility toward God’s creation.
No, Really, WWJD?
Matthew chapter 5 contains the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. It includes teachings such as the Beatitudes, where Jesus describes the blessedness of various groups, and discusses moral principles like love, mercy, and the fulfillment of the law. Here, also, we get the famous “you have heard it said, but I say unto you” discourse. Matthew 5 presents a high standard of Christian living that often clashes with the values of contemporary American culture. It calls for humility, compassion, integrity, and a radical commitment to love, even for those who are considered enemies. Furthermore, it calls us to honor others and ourselves. God stood in awe of creation on the last day and declared it good. We must look at our fellow man and woman and see the “fingerprints of God” and all people as potential seats of Christ.
In Closing
To close, the Buddhists challenge us to “live in such a way as to reduce the suffering of all sentient beings. In the practice of reverence, we find a path to transcend the divisions that plague our modern world. By cultivating a deep respect for one another and the world around us, we can bridge the gaps that separate us. This ethos calls us to embrace empathy and compassion, allowing us to see the intrinsic value in every being. We are invited to reflect on how our actions can alleviate suffering and promote a sense of unity. It is through this conscious effort that we can begin to restore the lost art of reverence in our lives.
We live in a polarized time where people are losing the knowledge of reverence. To reclaim it, we must actively engage in practices that nurture our sense of wonder and respect for the world. This involves slowing down to truly observe and appreciate the beauty around us, whether in nature, art, or human interactions. It means listening with intent, speaking with kindness, and acting with integrity. By fostering a daily habit of mindfulness and gratitude, we can begin to rebuild our connection to the sacredness of life. Let us commit to small, deliberate acts of reverence that will gradually transform our outlook and behavior, guiding us towards a more harmonious and compassionate existence.
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