The lectionary lessons for tomorrow, Sunday, August 31, include Jesus' announcement of his suffering and death in Matthew 16:21-28, and Paul's instructions on covenant living in Romans 12:9-21, and Moses' encounter of the burning bush in Exodus 3:1-15. I have preached sermons on each of these texts at different times and with different congregations. As a photographer, I am drawn by my imagining the sight of a burning bush, and stopping in my routine to ponder what and why.

While the moment of seeing and turning from the ordinary to focus on the extraordinary invites one to an experience of spiritual revelation, Moses also hears a very personal conversation that will change his life and the situation of many others as well. Holy ground provides the setting for a divine conversation where Moses hears God declare, "I have observed the misery...I have hear their cry..." This compassionate God gives Moses a mission to deliver the people from the captivity of the Pharaoh. When Moses protests that he's not the one, God assures him that he will not be alone.

This commission, associated with the wonder of the burning bush and the empowering conversation, becomes a life and faith marker that will provide Moses with courage and purpose through many difficult days ahead. I see three movements in this text. 1) There is the eye-catching event that becomes 2) the ear-catching with divine conversation that leads to 3) the heart-catching moment of being sent out to make a difference for God's people. The divine invitation cannot be ignored. I think it is not a frequent occurrence or we would not notice the sight and sound of God attempting to get our attention. We may see "burning bushes" frequently but we rarely pause long enough for our spirit to listen and to hear God's call to mission.

This photograph that caused me to stop and look was taken late Thursday afternoon.