In both Exodus 33:12-23 and 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 there is a tension between the glory of God and the community’s ability to sustain that vision. Even though, like Moses and the persecuted in Thessalonica, there are moments that we bask in the warmth and glow of this holiness, yet such moments of singular revelation require the struggles of daily faithfulness. Exodus envisions a moment in which a community is reluctant to continue its new path. The new way is so startling that the community cannot bear its full revelation!

	Are there moments in GLBT life when the fullness of what God holds for us is too much for us to sustain?

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul celebrates the faithful courage of a community that has embraced such a new vision. He uses strong language to name their faithfulness. Yet even that singular vision moment requires maintenance. Paul writes to keep in touch with the Thessalonians -- to keep the vision alive: "Just as you are doing: do so more and more" (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

In Exodus 33:12-23, God is still miffed about the people’s creation of a golden calf and, subsequently, chooses not to travel in their midst for fear that further provocation will lead to a smiting. The Holy One will enter the Tent of Meeting to speak with Moses, yet only after a cloud envelopes the tent and keeps their conversations private. The imposed distance between God and the Hebrew people does not sit well with Moses and, once more as in last week’s reading, Moses intercedes. He argues that if God isn’t willing to be present to the people, there is no point in sending them to the Promised Land.

Although God makes it clear that what happens to this stiff-necked people is in God’s hands alone: “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and show mercy on whom I will show mercy” (verse 19), God relents as a favor to Moses who loves these people. Moses is given a special viewing of God’s glory when God lifts Moses and places him safely on a rock, hides his eyes with a hand to shield him from seeing God’s face, and passes by Moses in all glory.

God is not trying to hide from Moses. On the contrary, God is offering Moses a chance to get a larger taste of God’s Holiness and power. It is an intimate gesture that leaves Moses with a face that shines so bright it too must be covered (see Exodus 34). God protects Moses from the fullness of God’s holiness even though it is something beautiful and awesome. Some things are too overwhelming to experience or can inadvertently hurt us even though they are beautiful. For example, in our community, radiating the glory of our relationships has proven in some contexts deadly. We have had to decide when and where it is safe to be honest about whom we love and let our love shine in all of its glory.

	When have you felt a need to hide the glory of your relationship in order to preserve your safety? When is it, or isn’t it appropriate to so?

Behind the shield that God raises to protect Moses is intense glory. It is important to remember that just because the glory is hidden at times to protect us does not mean that God is not present! God is with us in all of our struggles against injustice and blesses the holiness of our relationships even when the Church does not.

Isaiah 45:1-7 is directed to a people in exile who look forward to a return to Jerusalem — to be back home. God’s holiness and protection shines in the form of God’s servant Cyrus, the new ruler of Persia. Cyrus has opened the door for the exiles to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the Holy Temple. Verses 1-7 represent part of an oracle of celebration for the enthronement of this anointed ruler whose right hand God has grasped as a symbol of approval.

	When have you felt exiled from home or from places that are holy for you? How will God pave the way for your return to this holy place?

Again God’s glory is made known, though this time through the actions of a ruler who levels the mountains, strips oppressive rulers of their robes, breaks the doors of bronze and the bars of iron that restrict freedom. The prophet, like Moses in Exodus 33, recognizes that glory is sometimes hidden: “I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places” (verse 3). God is present even when we don’t see God. Isaiah reminds us, like all of the texts for this week, that God alone is glorious.

Psalm 99 and Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13) are enthronement psalms that celebrate God’s holy and quaking presence on the mountain surrounded by cherubim and people seated at the foot stool. “Let them praise your great and awesome name” (Psalm 99:5). The need to praise God is because of God’s holiness is emphasized: “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised” (Psalm 96:4). God speaks to the people in a pillar of a cloud that protected them from being overwhelmed and harmed by seeing the fullness of God’s glory. These psalms highlight that God is powerful and just, and is here for all of us, but expects us to live by the law, which is holy.

	When have you felt protected from the fullness of God’s glory?

Paul, Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy send the letter of 1 Thessalonians to this chosen faith community that has suffered greatly at the hands of persecutors. In 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, because of their joyful spirit in the midst of injustice and, because this community imitates the disciples and Jesus Christ, God’s holiness shines through Thessalonica and throughout and beyond Macedonia. Like Thessalonica, GLBT communities have often been persecuted. This letter serves to remind us that how we deal with persecution impacts our relationship with the Holy. When faced with oppression, hospitality is affirmed (verse 9) and set forth as an example. Yet, responding to hate with holiness and hospitality is very difficult to do.

	When was a time that you met hate with holiness? How did or did such behavior impact the situation?

The question in Matthew 22: 15-22 is one of glory -- Caesar's versus God's. What belongs to Caesar? Everything? Then what is left over for Caesar when one gives God what is God's? Jesus was placed in the middle of a contrived situation, involving the payment of a tax required of all citizens by the Roman government. The Pharisees and Herodians, non-Jews from Idumea, attempt to set Jesus up as a traitor to Rome by asking if it was a breach of Jewish law to pay taxes to the Emperor. Jesus skillfully tosses the problem back in the laps of the two sides of the issue, avoiding the trap. Caesar’s honor and holiness that is represented on his coins hold no real power in Jesus’ eyes so it can be paid. Yet Caesar's glory is apparent everywhere -- materialism, patriotism and conformism. Where is the vision of God's glory?

Caesar’s realm, a worldly and oppressive one, does not represent God’s kin-dom — one based on justice and righteousness for all people. Jesus’ kin-dom shines bright with the holiness of those who live holy lives.

	Who are those who embody God’s radiant glory? When have you embodied the Holy?