+ We have a couple of heartening readings today. In the
first reading, we recount the events of Moses passing into eternity just shy of
the promised land. He saw the line in the sand, but was justifiably denied
entrance because of a sin of disobedience – that the Lord God forgave – but the
restitution that had to be made was to forfeit actually crossing over into the
new land of promise and prosperity:
[this was God’s justice, and
mercy played out in what we might think a harsh way, but with faith we can see
that the image of disobedience to God’s will always has consequences – what he
actually did was strike a rock with his staff twice, instead of once as the
Lord told him to do when the people of Israel demanded water to drink – why he
did it twice, only he knows, but it was objective disobedience and that is why
he could not Passover physically into the Promised Land – but of course he
already had, mentally and spiritually]
And so it was up to Joshua –
one whom Moses laid hands on to convey God’s own Spirit – who had the task of
leading the people to what they would consider, for a while, Paradise.
Note that the name Joshua is a
derivative of “Jesus” – we can see prefigured here Jesus leading us into a
much-Promised Land of a real Paradise the like of while we cannot even fathom
with our tiny, finite minds.
Lesson here for us: obey the
voice of God speaking, instantaneously, and precisely as he dictates it to us;
or pay the price of consequent punishment. And follow Jesus into the Promised
Paradise – he in fact IS THE WAY to it!
This means: study and absorb
everything about him – all the truth he has to offer, and we will be filled
with HIS life, starting now, and lasting into Kingdom come.
In the gospel passage Jesus
shows us how to deal with apparent errant brothers and sisters: try to reason
with them privately, and then in some kind of kindly way bring in the outside
world, another person or persons, still gently and patiently and try to show
how his/her behavior does not quite fit into the public arena – where we are
all called to get along with one another peacefully.
And lastly today, we have the
blessed assurance that – for those who love God try their best to live
uprightly, and to help others – their prayers will be heard and answered every
time: if they are asked humbly, patiently and ultimately aligning our will with
God’s: he will delight in answer them every time.
Yes, blessed be God, who gives
life to our bodies, our minds and our spirits! Amen.
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