Day 5 Reflection –

Cloud and Light as Symbol of the Holy Spirit

Catechism cf. #697 – The Spirit comes upon the Virgin Mary and “overshadows” her, so that she might conceive and give birth to Jesus.
On the mountain of Transfiguration, the Spirit in the “cloud came and overshadowed” Jesus, Moses and Elijah, Peter, James and John, and a voice came out to the cloud saying, “This is my son, my Chosen One, listen to him!”
Jesus’ identity, then, is marked by his two unique relations: to God who addressed Jesus as “Beloved Son,” and to the Spirit who transfigured Jesus.

“Clouds” are associated in the Bible with the appearance of God. He is both shielded by clouds and revealed by them (Ex 24:16; Lev 16:2; Mt 17:5; Mk 9:7). Clouds are associated in Jesus’ life with the Transfiguration (Lk 9:34-35), the Ascension (Acts 1:9) and the Second Coming (Mt 26:64; Mk 13:26).
Not all references to clouds imply the special presence of God or of Jesus. False teachers are likened to “clouds without rain,” which evoke hope but provide no life-giving moisture (Jude 12).
Hebrew 12:1 mentions a “great cloud of witnesses.” This image is drawn from the sports arena, and “cloud” is a common classical figure for a great number of persons. Envisioned here are Old Testament persons who lived by faith under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This record of their faith encourages us to “throw off everything that hinders…run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
The two images of cloud and light occur together in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. In the theophanies of the Old Testament, the cloud-now obscure, now luminous-reveals the living and saving God while veiling the transcendence of his glory to Moses and his people on Mt. Sinai, at the tent of meeting, and during the wandering in the desert, and to Solomon at the dedication of the Temple.
The cloud took Jesus out of the sight of the disciples on the day of his Ascension, and will reveal him as Son of God in glory on the day of his final coming when we will be judged in the way we have loved.

There is an old story about the Rabbi who asked his disciples how they knew that night was ended and the day was on its way back, “Could it be”, asked one, “when you can see an animal in the distance and tell whether it is a sheep or a dog?” “No”. The Rabbi replied. “Could it be”, asked another, “when you can look at a tree in the distance and tell whether it is a date or an olive tree?” “No”, said the Rabbi. “Well, what is it then?” asked the disciples.
“It is when you look on the face of any man or woman and see that he or she is your brother or sister. Because if you cannot see this, no matter what it is, it is still night.”
St. John expressed this when he said, “He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still.”

Scripture (Ex 24:15-17) - Moses went up Mt. Sinai and a cloud covered it. The dazzling light of the Lord’s presence came down on the mountain. To the Israelites – the light looked like a fire burning on top of the mountain.

Prayer:
O Holy Spirit, there are days when the burdens I carry chafe my shoulders and weigh me down; when the road seems dreary and endless, the skies grey and threatening, when my life has no music in them and my heart is lonely. Flood the path with light, turn my eyes to where skies are full of promise; tuned my heart to brave music; give me the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age. Quicken my spirit that I may be able to encourage those who journey with me on the road of life to God’s honor and glory. Amen.

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