July 18, 2011
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the Israelites may pass through it on dry land. But I will make the Egyptians so obstinate that they will go in after them. Then I will receive glory through Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots and charioteers. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers." Exodus 14:15-18
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." He said to them in reply, "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. Matthew 12:38-39
Piety
Father, help us to set aside our obstinacy. Jesus, grant us the happiness of Jonah with whatever life experiences into which you lead us. Holy Spirit, grant unto us the gifts which will help us to flourish in this life and the next. Amen.
Study
Another trait that we share with the people described in the Bible is our skepticism. We want to have faith just as the Israelites did as they fled into the desert from slavery in Egypt. We want to have faith just as Moses did when he asked the Lord for help while the Pharaoh's soldiers and chariots were in hot pursuit. We want to have faith just as the Pharisees did when they asked Jesus for a sign.
What we have in common is a Lord who tells us not to be afraid. No special sign is needed. No special intercession is coming. We are to hold fast to the life we are leading in piety, study and action. That is its own reward. In it, we will have a closer walk with God than all others.
Action
About what do you cry out to the Lord? Do you share your complaints about secular political leaders? Do you share your complaints about the actions of Church leaders?
Do you cry out about your own illness and weakness? Do you cry out about the conditions in society and the world in which people suffer from poverty, disease, loneliness and destitution?
Today, we are asked to put aside the obstinacy that we share with the Egyptians lest we suffer the same fate as they do. Instead, we are asked to take on the spirit of service and the humility of Christ as we live out our days in this work and prepare for our live in the next. Let us be contented with the simple gifts that have been graced to us in this world. Thy Kingdom Come.
