Thursday, July 16, 2009

The Many Excuses of Moses

First Reading: Ex 3:13-20
Psalm: Ps 105:1, 5, 8-9, 24-27 -- The Lord remembers his covenant for ever
Gospel: Mt 11:28-30

Friends,

Another experiment today with the format. I'm going a bit beyond the reading for the day too, but it was too good to pass up.

Today, we will look at Moses' first conversation with the Lord. We should reflect on how many of these we try to use ourselves every day when speaking to God.

#1 - I'm not anyone important! How can I stand up to them/that? They're too big/powerful!
But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt?" He answered, "I will be with you; and this shall be your proof that it is I who have sent you: when you bring my people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this very mountain." (Ex. 3:11-12)
God is always bigger than the problems we are facing. If we are following him, then, naturally, he will be with us.

#2 - They might not believe in God. What authority can I appeal to when I speak to them?
"But," said Moses to God, "when I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' if they ask me, 'What is his name?' what am I to tell them?" God replied, "I am who am." Then he added, "This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you." (Ex. 3:13-14).
You are being sent by the One Lord. If you know this, and will tell others when they ask by what authority you are speaking, then you continue in your task. You have done your part and trust Him Who Is to do his part.

#3 - The other faithful will not believe me! They won't listen to me!
"But," objected Moses, "suppose they will not believe me, nor listen to my plea? For they may say, 'The LORD did not appear to you.'" The LORD then said, "Throw [your staff] on the ground." When he threw it on the ground it was changed into a serpent, and Moses shied away from it. (Ex. 3:1,3)
God would not send us on a hopeless task. Some will listen. For others, signs will be worked through you that others might come to accept his message. Still others will not follow, regardless of signs. Do not be concerned about them; if they would not listen to you, they would not listen to Him.

#4 - I don't know what to tell them! I'm afraid to speak to others that know more! I can't give speeches (or lead, or organize, or...)!
Moses, however, said to the LORD, "If you please, LORD, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past, nor recently, nor now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and tongue." The LORD said to him, "Who gives one man speech and makes another deaf and dumb? Or who gives sight to one and makes another blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Go, then! It is I who will assist you in speaking and will teach you what you are to say." (Ex. 3:10-12).
God made us. He knows quite well what we are capable of doing, even if we are unsure of ourselves. Trust that he has called you for his own reasons and that you are the person for the job. If we need more, He will be with us to give us what we need, when we need it.

#5 - If you please, Lord, send someone else! (Ex. 3:13)
God did not call you because you were smart, powerful, good-looking, eloquent, close to the issue or a particularly good person. At least, none of those, or countless other reasons, need have anything to do with it. It is not our place to ask why we are chosen, it is only our place to do it. If ever you feel the need to question His reasons, read Job, chapters 38 and 39.
Will we have arguing with the Almighty by the critic? Let him who would correct God give answer! (Job 40:2)

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of this day. Thank you for sending your prophets and messengers to convey your will for us. Lord, grant us wisdom, that we might recognize your messengers when they are sent. If we, ourselves, are being called to a task, give us the courage to do it in faith and love. We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Give Us A Sign

First Reading: Ex 2:1-15a
Psalm: Ps 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34 -- Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live
Gospel: Mt 11:20-24

Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
And as for you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld. For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you. - Matthew 11:21-24

Friends,

Something that every Christian that has attempted to share their faith is familiar with is the argument called "show us your God." This is when a skeptic says that they will believe in Jesus and God if they can see them, or witness a miracle. One individual stated that, because Paul had a personal apparition to make him believe, that opportunity should be open to everyone. Seeing is believing.

In today's gospel reading, Jesus flatly contradicts such claims. All three towns he names in the "woe" category are those on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, an area where he spent much time performing miracles. He knew them well and it is impossible that the people of the area did not know the name of Jesus of Nazareth (see Mt 4:22-24). Many had seen miracles with their own eyes and the testimony of those deeds was spread far, but the people would not believe.

So what of the three Jesus says would repent? Sodom is the best known of the three, destroyed by God as punishment for their wickedness. Tyre and Sidon are great port cities on the Mediterranean Sea, north and west of Galilee. They come in frequently in the Old Testament as places of scorn, worshippers of pagan gods. Not exactly cities with a sterling reputation. Yet, Jesus himself visits the region of Tyre not long after (Mt. 15:21-28). In that visit, he explicitly tells a woman begging a cure for her daughter that he is to minister to the Israelites first, but heals the daughter because of the woman's faith.

Twice, the Pharisees and Saducees ask for a sign, (Mt. 12:38, Mt. 16:1). Each time, Jesus' response is the same "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah," (Mt.12:39, Mt. 16:4). After the first request, he reminds them of Ninevah, where Jonah prophesized. They repented after a single day and were spared. The second time, he tells them that they can tell the weather by the signs in the sky, but not understand the signs in front of their eyes.

In our own time, the people seek a sign. We constantly ask for small miracles and many of us greatly desire to see mighty works. Yet, we often forget the great miracles that have already been done for us, or we fail to see the works of God right under our very noses. Those who wish to see miracles may find them in every moment; those who will not accept them will not see them, no matter their size. Seeing is not believing. Only believing is believing.

Heavenly Father, we thank you and praise you for the miracle of this day. We stand in awe of thte mighty works that you have wrought for us and your glory is revealed in all of creation. Lord, bless us with the gift of faith, that we might first believe and second adore. Grant that those who have hardened their hearts and minds to you may be awakened to your glory. We ask all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Overpopulation

First Reading: Ex 1:8-14, 22
Psalm: Ps 124:1b-8 -- Our help is in the name of the Lord
Gospel: Mt 10:34-11:1

[Pharaoh] said to his subjects, "Look how numerous and powerful the Israelite people are growing, more so than we ourselves!
Pharaoh then commanded all his subjects, "Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews, but you may let all the girls live." - Exodus 1:9,22
Friends,

In today's reading, Pharaoh sees a situation arising and is eager to head it off. He is fearful of the things that could happen, should the children of Israel outnumber the Egyptians. Thus, without provocation, he forces them into service to discourage their increase. When that fails, he orders the execution of all of the males of the Hebrews.

In our own time, we sometimes seek to cut off a problem before it reaches a hypothetical place where it becomes dangerous. In individual life, people believe that another child will cause them too much stress or take more effort than they can spare. In societal circles, eugenicists claim that it is best to terminate the more sickly or "useless" members, so that those who are well do not have to waste resources on them. On a global scale, experts claim that humans will destroy the earth if they continue to increase.

The main difficulty with these lines of thinking is that, once the terrible, hypothetical situation is believed, then some means, any means, must be used to prevent that outcome. Some people must be seen as less than human. Some people must be restricted because, "it is the only way." Once this mindset is adopted, those who supported it will inevitably fall into a category that must be restricted. A terribly high price is paid attempting to avoid an imagined horror.

As Christians, we know that each life is a gift from God. We know that the power to bestow life is not given to us, therefore we should exercise great restraint whenever we are tempted to take it. Satan is always waiting to prey upon our fears. He attempts to confuse us, speaking of far-off, cataclysmic consequences, then whispering that it would be compassionate, even merciful, to do that which is most horrible. We must remember that, no matter what the perceived danger, we need to put our trust in the Lord.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of this day. Thank you for giving us the gift of life each and every day. Lord, please watch over those who are in positions of power, that they not be swayed by fear, but led by prudence and buffeted with courage. Grant that we also might speak boldly to protect the gift of life for our brothers and sisters. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen