Leviticus 26.12

And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people.

This verse is part of "The Holiness Code," often thought rather daunting, as over and over, God commands us, "You shall be holy, as I, your God, am holy." That's a pretty heady command, especially taken out of context. In context, however, God is about to lead Israel into the Promised Land, and God does not want them to stray away toward idols, carved images, pillars, or figured stones.

It is not that these are bad - it is not necessary to restart the "Iconoclastic Controversy" and throw out every painting and statue at the Parish. We will experience wondrous things on our journey. If these things we encounter get us closer to God, swell!!! However, our focus should be on God, and not the site, picture, statue, or whatever, which points to God.

God is both transcendent and immanent, and walks with us as with Adam and Eve in The Garden. The fundamental theme of The Holiness Code is God has come to dwell in the midst of God's [sometimes sinful] people.