‘Here I am’.
In these simple words, we hear a presence revealed and an identity disclosed. When we hear these words spoken by someone that we know, we know that the intention behind them is that they will inform us that another human presence is with us. In saying these words, the speaker knows that we will recognise their identity because their identity is known to us. Nothing else needs to be said. There is, we might say, a communion shared between the person who speaks and the person who hears.
In the Book of Exodus, it is the living presence of the Lord who is revealed and whose identity is disclosed to Moses. The revelation and disclosure takes place on ‘holy ground’ as Lord speaks out of the bush that burns but which is not consumed. Moses does not yet recognise the identity of the One who speaks and the divine name of Lord is not yet fully disclosed. Moses asks that he might know the identity of the One who speaks to him. In response, the Lord says: ‘I AM WHO I AM’. (Exodus 3: 1-15) The presence of the Lord is revealed to us in the depths of the human heart as the Lord speaks to us. There is, we might say, a communion shared between the One who speaks and the person who hears.
We pray:
Living God, Speak to us that we might sense your presence And know your Name this day. Speak into the depths of our lives Out of the depth of your life divine. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Living God, Reveal your Name to us As you revealed your Name in ages past. Reveal your Name to us For we long to know you that you are with us now.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. Living God, You have made yourself known to us And invited us to share in your life. May we share our lives with others And know them as our family and our friends. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us. Living God, As we share in the life of the world May we better hear the voices of those around us. As we hear their voices May we better know the depths of who they are. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Living God, You make known to us your identity In the communion of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. May we hear you speak, in the place where we are, That we might share in living communion with you this day. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Bellshill Central Church 