Friday, August 11, 2023
Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Moses speaks in the desert
There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.
But Moses, 120 years old, will taste death. The book of Deuteronomy consists of Moses’ instructions to the Israelites before they enter the land of Canaan, the Promised Land. As Moses knows, he himself will not cross that river. This is his final speech, reinforcing for his people the words of God he heard and followed, the words he hopes his people will follow too, in the coming years and centuries.
Yahweh did not forget what happened at the Rock. Moses was told to speak to the rock, and waters would gush forth. But he struck the rock twice with the staff of God instead. Therefore, the Lord told him he would not be allowed to enter to the Promised Land. Moses pleaded with him to change his mind, but he did not.
You must now know and fix in your heart that the Lord is God in the heavens above and on earth below, and there is no other. You must keep the commandments which I speak to you today, that you are your children may prosper, and that you may have long life on the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you forever.
Jesus spoke with strength to all of us, even Moses. Do not follow your own way.
Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
We do not speak with God as Moses did, nor do we see God as Moses did. Occasionally, some of us have a glimpse, but not like Moses. And Jesus is speaking even of Moses:
Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
If I think of Moses, then I see that Jesus is setting the bar very high for our offerings, the  “losing” of our lives. Impossibly high, I think? Probably not. In Moses’ life the more he was obedient, the easier it became for him. Moses learned to listen to God’s words about his own opinions, point of view, desires. That must be true for us as well. Two steps forward, one step back.
Yesterday our air conditioning stopped working. Our apartment is on the ground floor, and heats up slowly. As I write, it’s 85 degrees, and we have several fans running. Sleep might be difficult tonight. We called with a request for help early yesterday afternoon, but no one came before closing time. What will happen today?
We have places we can go. We have resources many others do not have. Most of the time we have air conditioning. It has been over 100 degrees every day for several weeks. Can I find my way toward gratitude rather than resentment?
I think so. Moses leads the way.
I remember the deeds of the Lord. I remember your works of old. I mediate on your works. You are the God who works wonders.
(Deuteronomy 4, Psalm 77, Matthew 5, Matthew 16)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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