August 9, 2011
Tuesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
By Beth De Cristofaro
When Moses had finished speaking to all Israel, he said to them, “I am now one hundred and twenty years old and am no longer able to move about freely; besides, the LORD has told me that I shall not cross this Jordan. … Be brave and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31: 1-2, 6)
The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. (Matthew 18: 1-5)
Piety
Thank you God for my life. May you take each setback, hurt, poor choice, disappointment or failure I experience, Lord, and make good of it. May I recognize and rejoice in your presence and know always that you will never forsake me.
Study
How do we become like little children especially in this time of political angst, economic uncertainty and global unrest when we have many competing, and valid, responsibilities that call us to attention? Moses gives us a poignant and enlightening model.
He is such an appealing character in so many ways, an anti-hero in the literary sense. He was born under an inauspicious star, threatened at a young age, raised by a dysfunctional family. He seemed rather bumbling and had quite a temper, which got him into trouble on more than one occasion. He chose exile over being heroic, only answering God’s call with much persuasion. But he came through, facing down Pharoah, his own resistant people and ultimately God to bring this people through to the Promised Land. Now here he stands, aged and tired but far from beaten. He looks from the heights and sees the goal only to know, understand and accept with a deep and abiding faith, that he is refused that goal. And in the simple wisdom of a child who accepts her parent’s bidding – “do not stick your finger into that light socket” … “don’t run into the street”… without really understanding, he knows deep within himself that God will not forsake or fail him.
How often do I mistake the goal for God? How often do I confuse my efforts for the grace of God, the movement of the Spirit? How often do I think it is me rather than the love of Jesus shining within which makes the difference? Yes, it is me who is God’s instrument. Yes, it was Moses who brought the people through the desert. Ultimately it is God. Our fidelity and gratitude belongs to God just as we do.
Action
Have you ever had a child bring you a flower, a rock or a bug with excitement and joy just beaming out of him? Take the opportunity to be Christ to someone today with humble excitement and joy of the Lord in your heart. Don’t worry about a response. Just love and know that God who is ever faithful is present.
