I don't know about you, but I envy Moses and Peter and James and John. I envy Joseph and Mary and Abraham and Sarah and Paul and Jacob - all the biblical folk who see visions and dream dreams and are swept into the palpable presence of God. And I particularly envy the many parishioners I have known over the years who have shared their holy experiences with me. Jeanne Grimm's blinding moment of light when a dazzling Jesus stood by her death bed. A widow's glimpse of her beloved after his death, once again whole and healthy by her side. A young man's incredulous tale of his father's voice affirming him after death in a way he had never affirmed him in life. It seems to me that such dramatic epiphanies must certainly make faith a whole lot easier to swallow.

This morning, if we allow our ima…