Whenever we have the reading from the Book of Exodus in which Moses encounters the Lord in the burning bush, I am immediately put in mind of the Church in which I am celebrating the Eucharist.  God speaks to Moses:

“Do not come near! Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” (Exod 3:5)

I love that summons that demands an awareness of where we meet God as “holy ground.”  It certainly should describe our places of worship.

When we were ready to break ground for the new Church at St. John’s University, St. Thomas More Church, we first gathered at the older place of worship and processed to the new property.  And as we moved, we sang “Holy Ground.”  It is a marvelous and appropriate piece of music for just such an occasion:

This is holy ground, we’re standing on holy ground,
For the Lord is present and where God is is holy.
This is holy ground, we’re standing on holy ground,
For the Lord is present and where God is is holy.

I can still hear the community singing these words along the way and then gathering at the spot for the new Church.

The second part of the Exodus reading has Moses asking God what is the divine name.  The Lord responds with one of the most important revelations in the Old Testament.  We read the words of the Holy One of Israel:

This is what you will tell the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.
God spoke further to Moses: This is what you will say to the Israelites:
The LORD, the God of your ancestors,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.
This is my name forever;
this is my title for all generations. (Exod 3:14-15)

Thus, Moses receives the revelation of the Holy Name of God.  A name that the Israelites would not say aloud since it was so holy.

When we assemble as a Christian Church, we do so around the Holy Name of God.  We call upon Jesus to be present to us in this word, in the sacrament of the altar, and in the community gathered in this holy place.  We could easily break into the words of the hymn:

This is holy ground, we’re standing on holy ground,
For the Lord is present and where God is is holy.

And, we gather as a holy people.