Daily Retreat 08/09/07
2007 Aug 9 Thu/ Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, v, mt
Nm 20:1-13/ Ps 94(95):1-2. 6-7. 8-9/ Mt 16:13-23
From today’s readings: “Raising his hand, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, and water gushed out in abundance for the people and their livestock to drink.... If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.... You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it....”
God’s Will, God’s Way
Among the heroes of the Old Testament, Moses clearly stands the tallest, having been specially chosen by God for the mission of leading His people out of the slavery of Egypt and presenting to them God’s holy law. Yet Moses, for all his strong points, was still only human - he too sinned at times, failing in faithfulness to God.
Today’s first reading recounts a sin of Moses which was sufficiently grave that, as a direct result of that sin, Moses was denied the satisfaction of finally leading the Israelites into the promised land. What was his sin? At first glance, that’s not so clear, since he seems to have more or less obeyed God’s order to give His people water from the rock.
But, as one grows closer to God, the standard of “more or less” compliance to His will becomes more and more inadequate, for God’s love deserves nothing less than a wholehearted commitment, the offering of one’s total self. And this was certainly lacking in Moses’ response.
In the first place, God’s instruction was for Moses to “order the rock to yield it’s waters.” But instead, Moses struck the rock with his staff, thereby not completely fulfilling God’s will in the way God wanted. Addressing the people in a question, Moses also didn’t directly reveal to them God’s assurance of providing water, which along with his panic in striking the rock twice, is indicative of a certain lack of faith, so Moses did not complete God’s will with the full faith that God wanted. Finally, Moses’ sharp words to the Israelites, calling them “rebels,” reveals his reluctance and his doubt about God’s mercy being extended in this situation, so Moses did not carry out God’s will with the willing, loving and merciful attitude God wanted.
So, even if we are “more or less” doing God’s will in our own lives, you and I must still examine our conscience to insure that we do what God wants in the way He wants, with the full faith He expects, and with the willing, loving and merciful attitude that He asks of us.
Nm 20:1-13/ Ps 94(95):1-2. 6-7. 8-9/ Mt 16:13-23
From today’s readings: “Raising his hand, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, and water gushed out in abundance for the people and their livestock to drink.... If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.... You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it....”
God’s Will, God’s Way
Among the heroes of the Old Testament, Moses clearly stands the tallest, having been specially chosen by God for the mission of leading His people out of the slavery of Egypt and presenting to them God’s holy law. Yet Moses, for all his strong points, was still only human - he too sinned at times, failing in faithfulness to God.
Today’s first reading recounts a sin of Moses which was sufficiently grave that, as a direct result of that sin, Moses was denied the satisfaction of finally leading the Israelites into the promised land. What was his sin? At first glance, that’s not so clear, since he seems to have more or less obeyed God’s order to give His people water from the rock.
But, as one grows closer to God, the standard of “more or less” compliance to His will becomes more and more inadequate, for God’s love deserves nothing less than a wholehearted commitment, the offering of one’s total self. And this was certainly lacking in Moses’ response.
In the first place, God’s instruction was for Moses to “order the rock to yield it’s waters.” But instead, Moses struck the rock with his staff, thereby not completely fulfilling God’s will in the way God wanted. Addressing the people in a question, Moses also didn’t directly reveal to them God’s assurance of providing water, which along with his panic in striking the rock twice, is indicative of a certain lack of faith, so Moses did not complete God’s will with the full faith that God wanted. Finally, Moses’ sharp words to the Israelites, calling them “rebels,” reveals his reluctance and his doubt about God’s mercy being extended in this situation, so Moses did not carry out God’s will with the willing, loving and merciful attitude God wanted.
So, even if we are “more or less” doing God’s will in our own lives, you and I must still examine our conscience to insure that we do what God wants in the way He wants, with the full faith He expects, and with the willing, loving and merciful attitude that He asks of us.
posted by FrPitstick | 8/08/2007
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