Readings at Mass: Wednesday of 15th Week of Ordinary Time
> Exodus 3:1-6:9-12
> Psalm 103:1-2,3-4,6-7
In today's first reading at Mass we continue reading about the life of Moses. In Exodus 3:1 we read: "Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian." Moses has moved on. Running from his past, hoping that his secrets stay buried there, Moses moved east of Egypt to the land of Midian. There, Moses married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, the priest and prince of Midian. Moses is simply going about his business, trying to live life with his past buried behind him.
Eh hem ... God had other plans. "Leading the flock across the desert, [Moses] came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There an angel of the Lord appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush." (Exodus 3:1-2) Today's famous story of the burning bush is probably one of the most well known stories of Scripture. Many of us focus on the bush and how it wasn't destroyed. Many of focus on Moses and how he took off his shoes. Many of focus on God pronouncing His name as "I AM". However, none of this would have happened unless God takes the initiative. Notice "an angel of the Lord appeared to him." God appears to Moses, not vice versa. God pursues Moses, not vice versa. God takes the initiative.
The Church teaches: "The divine initiative in the work of grace precedes, prepares, and elicits the free response of man." (1) God always takes the initiative, it is our's to receive it.
Many of us, like Moses, want to move on with life, especially when we are afraid (Monday) of the stuff buried in our past (yesterday). Left to our own fear most of us would try to manage life on our own. However, because God desires us infinitely more than we could ever desire Him, God constantly reaches out to us. God relentlessly takes the initiative to draw us close to Him.
Moses could have never imagined that God would reach out to him. Moses could have never imagined that God would speak to him. Moses could have never imagined what his life would turn into once all that happened. Moses didn't know how to live in real freedom, that's why he ran away to Midian. Likewise, when you and I admit that we do have things buried in our past, things that bind us in unfreedom, we often don't know what to do. We don't know how to move on. We don't know how to get the freedom we long for.
Here's the good news. God is a lot better at this freedom thing then we are. God's a master of freeing people ... after all look what happened to Israel through Moses. Just as he freed the Israelites from the Egyptians, God wants to free you.
The good news is that God is taking the initiative in your life. If you're willing to let him into the things you've buried in the past God will bring freedom. Ask Him ... beg Him ... allow Him to come into your life. Ask Him to take the initiative and start the process of your healing.
(1) Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2022
Eh hem ... God had other plans. "Leading the flock across the desert, [Moses] came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There an angel of the Lord appeared to him in fire flaming out of a bush." (Exodus 3:1-2) Today's famous story of the burning bush is probably one of the most well known stories of Scripture. Many of us focus on the bush and how it wasn't destroyed. Many of focus on Moses and how he took off his shoes. Many of focus on God pronouncing His name as "I AM". However, none of this would have happened unless God takes the initiative. Notice "an angel of the Lord appeared to him." God appears to Moses, not vice versa. God pursues Moses, not vice versa. God takes the initiative.
The Church teaches: "The divine initiative in the work of grace precedes, prepares, and elicits the free response of man." (1) God always takes the initiative, it is our's to receive it.
Many of us, like Moses, want to move on with life, especially when we are afraid (Monday) of the stuff buried in our past (yesterday). Left to our own fear most of us would try to manage life on our own. However, because God desires us infinitely more than we could ever desire Him, God constantly reaches out to us. God relentlessly takes the initiative to draw us close to Him.
Moses could have never imagined that God would reach out to him. Moses could have never imagined that God would speak to him. Moses could have never imagined what his life would turn into once all that happened. Moses didn't know how to live in real freedom, that's why he ran away to Midian. Likewise, when you and I admit that we do have things buried in our past, things that bind us in unfreedom, we often don't know what to do. We don't know how to move on. We don't know how to get the freedom we long for.
Here's the good news. God is a lot better at this freedom thing then we are. God's a master of freeing people ... after all look what happened to Israel through Moses. Just as he freed the Israelites from the Egyptians, God wants to free you.
The good news is that God is taking the initiative in your life. If you're willing to let him into the things you've buried in the past God will bring freedom. Ask Him ... beg Him ... allow Him to come into your life. Ask Him to take the initiative and start the process of your healing.
(1) Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2022
© Fr. Mark Toups, 2013
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TODAY AT IPF
Today, the 169 seminarians continue their course on the Liturgy. Today the men will learn more about the action of the Holy Spirit within the Liturgy, as well how to connect the mystery of the Transfiguration and the Liturgy. The 23 priests and seminarians here for the Spiritual Exercises are on day 19 of the 30-day retreat.
TODAY'S QUOTE FROM POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI
"While he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him" (Lk 15: 20) and, full of joy, had a feast prepared. How is it possible not to open our hearts to the certainty that in spite of being sinners we are loved by God? He never tires of coming to meet us, he is always the first to set out on the path that separates us from him."
― Angelus Address, September 12, 2010
TO ENCOURAGE YOU: A FEW THOUGHTS ON GOD'S INITIATIVE
