God came down in fire and smoke, the mountain trembled, thunder spoke. He called to Moses, “Come up here!” But warned the people not to near.

“Set the line, make the place clean. No priest, no crowd, no in-between. Only the ones I call may rise, for holiness is not disguised.”

Moses climbed, then turned around, to tell the people: “Stay on ground.” God’s voice was fierce, yet full of grace, A sacred fire in a sacred place.

“The Mountain Was Holy”