Holiness is like … Nuclear Radiation

I know I know I know. Nuclear radiation does not have any good connotations and should not be used as a metaphor to holiness. I know. But nuclear radiation is what I think of when I am thinking of proximity to holiness. The etymology of holiness deals with separation. To be holy means to be separated for God. This separation is significant and has fueled much of the theology of the Old Testament.

In this age of the coming of Jesus, we have grown accustomed to a familial view of God. It is easier to see God as a Loving Father than it was during the time of Genesis. The holiness of God was and is absolute. Jesus did much to bridge the gap between humanity and God caused by sin. Whatever remains is up to us in our personal relationship with God. (Colossians 1:24) The suffering, death, and resurrection and later the descent of the Holy Spirit made holiness more accessible to humanity than it has ever been before. We must repent and accept Jesus the Christ as our Lord and Savior, even still a lifestyle of holiness is expected of us. (Matthew 5:48) It is good to remember how overwhelming the holiness of God is for our frail humanity. This reminder is not meant to terrify us, but to grow in awe of the gift God has bestowed on us that we humans have been made greater than the angels.

The presence of God was deadly especially in the Old Testament. God warned Moses, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” (Exodus 33:20) The people of Israel was terrified of God at Sion, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” Exodus 20:19 Let us not forget the infamous story of Uzziah who got struck by lightning for presuming his hands were more worthy to touch the ark rather than the ground. (2 Samuel 6:7) The reputation of God terrified the philistines, “Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness.” (1 Samuel 4:8) Indeed, Our God is an Almighty God. Fear of the Lord is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Truly, it is right and just.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

Once again, forgive me, if my image of holiness is similar to nuclear radiation. God is the God of the living and not of the dead. His presence brings about life and God desires for humans to have life abundantly. (John 10:10) Yet, it is only by virtue of our Baptism and being in the state of Grace that we are able to be divinized into the Trinitarian lifestyle.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16

The true inspiration for the radiation metaphor comes from how our Catholic churches are designed and even how the original Temple in Jerusalem was designed. The temple had an outer court, an inner court, and the Holy of Holies. Similar to a Catholic Church. We have the vestibule or gather space outside of the worship area. We then have the pews and sanctuary. We finally have Jesus in the tabernacle our Holy of Holies.

The obligation of reverence increases as we draw closer to the Holy of Holies. The gathering space is a fine place to chat and socialize. Those same conversations become hushed and whispered in the worship area. At the Holy of Holy it is most prudent to follow the rubrics on how best to handle the sacred species of the Eucharist. Therefore, there out to be a correlation between silence/reverence and proximity to the Presence of God. Even the Saints would speak of true contemplative prayer as being empty of words and full receptivity of God.

We can even use our body language as a metric for reverence. In the outer courts, we walk around, greet people, and have all sorts of activity. In the inner courts, we are siting or kneeling in prayer. At the Holy of Holies, the space is reserved for the priest and deacon or sacristan. There is genuflection and bowing fueled by the understanding that the Lord of Lords and King of Kings deserve due reverence and respect.

In the Catholic Church, we bring forth the Kingliness of God with the etiquette associated with royalty. Granted, it is difficult in the American culture to not have a distaste of royal etiquette. We see this etiquette play out in how we behave to show reverence to the Eucharist. The closer we are to the king then the more we show reverence.

Which brings me back to the nuclear radiation metaphor. In nuclear facilities, there is the nuclear core. The cores is then surrounded by water, which is surrounded by metal, which is surrounded by concrete, which is surrounded by safety measures to keep everything under control. The closer people approach the nuclear core, then the greater measures of safety precautions are taken. The outer courts where civilians can work and function. The inner courts require nuclear engineers and those authorized to be monitoring the systems. The center of it all is the nuclear core that requires radiation suits and everything else to ensure protection from the radiation. God willing, we can even take on the radioactive holiness and spread the holiness of God to others.

The nuclear radiation is a terrible metaphor. I wish we had an experience that the closer we approach something the more strength we experienced or the healthier we would grow. I would argue that proximity to life itself can be found in the Eucharist. We grow in joy and holiness the more we configure ourselves to Christ and become what we eat. The Presence of God deserves reverence. For those who are able, we are welcome into the heavenly banquet of the Lord. But if we do not have the proper clothing then we will be kicked out where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:13)

The true gift of God is that this presence which is overwhelming to most of creation is our promised home for all eternity. We are called to be elevated to the divinity of the Father through our Baptism by the Cross of Jesus the Christ with the Holy Spirit as our guide. We shall eat at the table with God as an equal. Let us be vigilant and prepare ourselves for the judgement of God so that by the Grace of God we may live with Him forever and ever. Amen. Let us approach His table with the reverence and awe that is owed!