+ Today we have two very different readings for Mass, and two very different messages from them – as sometimes happens during the weekday cycle – but it is on occasions such as this that it means there is a message for everyone somewhere in all these words of God.
What strikes me first of all is the responsorial refrain: I think this is the only occasion in the whole year's worth of readings that it is used: Blessed be God who filled my soul with fire! What a powerful and magnificent statement this is! GOD FILLS MY SOUL WITH FIRE!! The fire of his Presence, the fire of his Wisdom, the fire of his Strength, the fire of his Compassion, the fire of his Mercy! And this is what happens when we open our minds and hearts and souls to his desire to come to us! We are filled with the purifying fire of God's reality, love and friendship!
In the first reading we see that no other person in all of Israel was filled with the radiance and light and fire of God as was Moses – who alone spoke with God – as with a friend – face to face! And because of his conversations with God – Moses was like no other prophet in history – God accomplished astounding things through him – most especially the performance of great signs in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, his servants and all his land: Israel was freed from slavery because Moses cooperated with God and let his fire burn within him! We too are called to be instruments in the hands of God – with his fire burning in our hearts - so that he can free the people we run across in our day from whatever it is they may need freeing from: we can bring hope, and compassion, and laughter, and a helping hand, and friendship to everyone we meet to some degree or another. And God will be very pleased with us as he was very pleased with Moses. And at the end of our lives, as it was with Moses, we shall have nothing to fear when our days are completed and we end our journey in the Promised Land.
The gospel passage now tells of fraternal correction and forgiveness. As we journey to our promised inheritance – along with brothers and sisters placed with us to accompany us and be there for us – there may come a time when we notice these brothers and sisters veering off the recommended path, thus getting themselves in real trouble and even sinning against us. We are our brothers' keepers – we are obligated to humbly, objectively and charitably point out their error and their sin for their own good, for their salvation, for their eternal happiness – and not to justify us or make us feel superior by any means – for we are as prone to sin as they are. If we are successful then again we have been used by God as an instrument of his own reconciliation and peace – and God will be very pleased with us – and when we pray for anything according to the Father's will, he promises – it shall be done for us: God loves to reward his faith-filled and charity-loving children!
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. Blessed be God who fills my soul with fire!
No comments:
Post a Comment