Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time


Readings for Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible

Commentary:

Reading 1 Ex 3:1-6, 9-12

We jump forward in the life of Moses to his call from God on Mount Horeb. The image of the burning bush attracted him and God calls the reluctant servant to return to Egypt as his instrument. The purpose, Moses is told, is to lead the “Children of Israel out of Egypt”.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1b-2, 3-4, 6-7
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

This psalm of thanksgiving recalls God’s saving works. The third strophe links the verse to the call of Moses from the first reading.

Gospel Mt 11:25-27

The footnote on this selection explains this passage very well. In part it reads; “While the wise and the learned, the scribes and Pharisees, have rejected Jesus' preaching and the significance of his mighty deeds, the childlike have accepted them. Acceptance depends upon the Father's revelation, but this is granted to those who are open to receive it and refused to the arrogant. Jesus can speak of all mysteries because he is the Son and there is perfect reciprocity of knowledge between him and the Father; what has been handed over to him is revealed only to those whom he wishes.”

Reflection:

For many of us the image of Moses at the burning bush springs into our mind picturing Charlton Heston in the movie classic the Ten Commandments. For those of us considering a broader involvement in ministry, the reluctance of Moses in this story also resonates. Frequently when we feel nudged to do something out of our comfort zone in God’s name, we find our selves asking God the same question Moses did “Who am I that I should go…”. It is exactly for these times the story is perpetuated in Holy Scripture.

If all of the images we are given for heroic figures in scripture were bold, wise, hansom, and self assured how could we understand that God calls us all? Think about those God called – not just in the Moses story but throughout salvation history and the Holy Scripture. Who among all those called by God fit into the hansom, willing, bold, or wise category? The only one that springs to mind off the top of my head was King David and look what God did to him before he was done.

No, God has a habit of calling the unwilling, the ordinary, the weak, and humble to his service. How else could he demonstrate the great love he has for the weak and downtrodden? He calls them because of their flaws so that His great work can be accomplished. It is like the marshal arts master that drives a straw through a wooden plank. God takes the outcast and raises them up as mighty prophets; he takes the victims and makes them victorious.

Every time we try to master a new skill we need to learn the language of that skill. Whether it is a technical skill like engineering or an artistic skill like music, there is a language that is needed to understand the subject and the actions that take place within that discipline. The same is true in our understanding of the things of God. Today, once more, we are given an example of God’s language. The weak are the strength of the people. God uses the least significant to perform the most significant acts. Salvation is accomplished not though a prince of a king, but a servant and an outcast.

Pax

[1] After Links to Readings Expire:
[2] The Picture today is Moses before the Burning Bush by Domenico Feti, 1613-14

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