God's Voice, God's Message

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on January 06, 2022

“The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is upon the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor.” (Psalm 29:3-4)

As a child, I learned very early. When my father spoke, I did as he directed. There was no room for questions nor disobedience! The authority of his voice was unequivocal. But the authority of an earthly father’s voice is minimal when compared with the incomprehensible and boundless power and authority of God’s voice.

In Psalm 29, the Psalmist proclaims that God’s voice manifests God’s power, authority, and dominion as well as God’s splendor, dignity, and majesty. God’s voice is so inexpressibly profound that human language is inadequate to fully express it. The Psalmist, therefore, expresses the power and glory of God’s voice metaphorically, using of the created elements: the roaring of mighty waters and the booming of mighty thunders.  The awesomeness of God’s voice conveys the inexhaustible power of the words God’s voice utters. In the creation story, God spoke, “let there be light and there was light.”    

In this Sunday’s gospel (Luke 3:15-17 & 21-22), we read that after Jesus’ baptism God’s powerful voice spoke once more. This time the Voice’s powerful message is LOVE. Jesus is washed in the waters of baptism, then turns to God in prayer. In response to His prayers, Jesus is anointed with the Holy Spirit and God’s voice thunders from heaven to earth proclaiming, “You are my Son, the Beloved, with you, I am well pleased.”  God’s voice manifested Jesus as the Divine Son, enfolded in an eternal bond of love with God the Father. As the Beloved Son, Jesus is chosen to accomplish God’s mission of lovingly leading fallen humanity into newness of life with God. God is pleased with Jesus who willingly surrendered His will to God’s mission. Jesus begins His mission with humanity by being washed in the waters of Baptism along “with all the people.”

In Luke’s narrative of Jesus’ Baptism, we hear God’s voice thundering throughout the world, proclaiming the glorious message of God’s endless and unconditional love for all persons. “God so loved the world that He gave his only Son so that everyone who believed in Him may not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) I invite you to listen keenly to this weekend’s Scripture readings and hear our Lord’s assuring voice speak to you. Hear our Lord’s tender voice declaring, “I have called you by name, you are mine.” “You are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you.” (Isaiah43:1&4) The God whose powerful voice created the universe and declared His Son Beloved now declares abiding love for you and me! Thanks be to God! 

Tags: love, power, authority, majesty, glory of god, voice, splendor, dignity

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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