God-speech can
come in many varieties. In
our readings today we see three such methods of communication. The first being
a tremendous show up light, heat, sound and power (such as Cecil B. Demil could
portray) as God arranges to make his presence known to the people of Israel for
the first time, and to engage Moses in direct conversation. The scenario is
unmistakable – it is magnificent.
In the gospel passage Jesus – the very words of God made flesh – chooses
two other methods of communicating the message of God: parables, and direct
discourse. The parables were simple analogies and stories carefully chosen to
convey a specific and particular message regarding the Kingdom of God that
Jesus came to announce the arrival of. They were based in what the people
already understood and could relate to: seeds, plants, treasure, sheep, pearls
and the like.
But to the disciples Jesus gave a third level – the more instructive and
didactic level – he explained in more complete detail what everything meant
because they would one day be the “keepers of the message.” And this was a kind
of seminary training!
God desires very much to communicate with us today. And it would behoove
us to LISTEN TO HIM speaking in whatever way he chooses to do it: it loud claps
of thunder, fire and smoke; or in the tiny whispering sound in the breeze;
whether is a parable of sorts, or directly through our meditative reading and
reflection, our prayer and our reveries.
We will have all we need to get through today – if we are OPEN TO THE GOD
OF OUR JOY, THE GOD OF OUR SALVATION.
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