Pause

Of all the human senses, sight is the one most of us take for granted. From the moment we open our eyes in the morning, we expect to see the world. And of all the human senses, taste is the one we savor, the one where we become keenly aware of the blandness, the tartness, the spiciness, the sweetness of the world.

Consider now how we encounter God through an awareness of what it means to taste and see the wonder in the world.

Listen

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.

Psalm 34:1-5

Think

The dictionary classifies the word “magnify” as it is used here — to praise — as archaic or rarely used; it’s in the same category as Shakespeare’s “thee” and “thou.” When we use the word today, we mean something appears greater than it is, exaggerated as with a magnifying glass.

What does it mean, then, to magnify the Lord? There is no need for exaggeration, but sometimes, because we forget God’s grace, we do need to look a little more closely.

There’s also the glimmer of a story in this song. We don’t know what the psalmist asked, but we know that this is a joyful celebration of a definite answer, a freedom from paralyzing fear. The writer tells us to look and, in those moments when we see God, to allow the light to be reflected in our faces, our lives. And perhaps in those moments when fear grips us, we can look at the radiant, reflected light in others — those who magnify the Lord with us — and know with certainty that the light is always there.

Estelene Boratenski

Pray

God of light, help me to see and to be the light in my world, your world. Amen.

Go

Go now to taste and see
The presence of God and
The goodness of God.
Free all your senses to feel
The grace and mercy that is
Everywhere God abides.