Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Saviour and He shall speak peace unto the heathen. (Zechariah 9: 9-10 )

I believe in revelation. I try to be attentive to signs and signals of what is emerging. This is, in effect, an apocalyptic worldview. The Greek origin - apoca lipsis - means to lift the veil.

I have inherited this worldview from more than 2500 years of religious tradition. Zechariah was active in the early 520s BC during the early period of the return from Babylon and construction of the Second Temple.

Some have argued that the apocalyptic tradition is the foundation of Western science. If we can lift the veil we will see clearly, know truly, and do rightly. If we will just look in the right place, finally we will understand.

The apocalyptic tradition also implies that the discovery is external to one's self and preexists the self. I have spent much of my life seeking to lift the veil on my own purpose, expecting to find it fully formed and waiting.

I am increasingly certain this is wrong. God seeks our partnership in creating and healing the world. We may begin by working with God to craft our purpose one step at a time, each decision contributing, each commitment constructing.

You may listen to the aria Rejoice Greatly performed by the Peabody Institute Symphony and Choir.