The writer of the first chapter saw God in the disaster which had overtaken his nation, and so he was able to redeem his disaster. The eye of the seer, gazing steadfastly into the storm cloud, discriminates one feature after another until the celestial chariot has taken shape before him. Language fails him. He takes refuge in hints, suggestion, and metaphor. So, too, do we falter with our human language about God. Ezekiels’ call compares with those of his predecessors, particularly Isaiah and Jeremiah. What was at first terrifying to Ezekiel becomes sweet as honey when he has accepted it thus. He accepts his vocation with gratitude. Do we? What makes the prophet’s mission so hard is that he is sent to his own people. The first thing made clear to the prophet is that he is in a position of responsibility. He is called upon to anticipate the impending fate of his people. He does not merely see what is to happen; he also feels it. He has a Gethsemane experience of what is to befall his people. Is this not part of the vocation of every parent?
The writer of the first chapter saw God in the disaster which had overtaken his nation, and so he was able to redeem his disaster. The eye of the seer, gazing steadfastly into the storm cloud, discriminates one feature after another until the celestial chariot has taken shape before him. Language fails him. He takes refuge in hints, suggestion, and metaphor. So, too, do we falter with our human language about God. Ezekiels’ call compares with those of his predecessors, particularly Isaiah and Jeremiah. What was at first terrifying to Ezekiel becomes sweet as honey when he has accepted it thus. He accepts his vocation with gratitude. Do we? What makes the prophet’s mission so hard is that he is sent to his own people. The first thing made clear to the prophet is that he is in a position of responsibility. He is called upon to anticipate the impending fate of his people. He does not merely see what is to happen; he also feels it. He has a Gethsemane experience of what is to befall his people. Is this not part of the vocation of every parent?
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