A REFLECTION ON THE DAILY OFFICE READINGS
We have all heard the phrase: “Don't kill the messenger.” It is hard to serve as a go-between or middleman because you face the possibility of not being trusted with the news you bring. In this passage, Moses serves as a messenger between God and his people Israel. The Israelites already had trust issues with Moses as they had grumbled about his leadership abilities a number of times before. Even still, God chose to converse with Moses up on the mountain and exhort Moses to remind the Israelites of what God did to the Egyptians, and how God bore the Israelites on eagles' wings and brought them out of bondage. In remembering God’s faithfulness, the Israelites were expected to obey God’s voice and keep God’s covenant. Moses was to communicate the truth that Israel was treasured by God but that God had expectations for Israel to be a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. When Moses shared these words with the Israelites, they all answered in unison: "Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do." Moses’ job as the go-between did not end here. Moses then reported the words of the Israelites back to the Lord. As much as the Israelites appeared to be united in obeying God and following Moses as a leader, the Israelites were a fickle people. One moment they would say good things about Moses, and the next moment they would complain about him. Have you ever experienced being applauded in one moment only to be thrown under the bus and condemned the next? It can be very frustrating. Understanding this, God offered to come among the Israelites in a dense cloud in order that the people might hear and see when God spoke with Moses and so trust Moses’ leadership. But there was a catch. The people had to emotionally, mentally, and physically prepare to hear and see God. They also had to respect certain boundaries and limits as to what they could say or do. In essence, to truly appreciate what God was doing in their midst and to really value the leaders among them, the people of Israel had to intentionally prepare themselves and embrace healthy boundaries and limits. What specific steps do we take to prepare ourselves emotionally, mentally, and physically to meet God each day? What healthy boundaries and limits do we observe as we engage with our leaders and those who serve us? How might our fickleness and negative attitude cause dysfunction in the community?
This passage begins with Paul thankfully acknowledging that his apostleship is by the will of God. Paul sets his mind on three things: 1) faith in Christ Jesus, 2) the hope laid up for us in heaven, 3) the love that we must have for all the saints. What is our mind focused on? Paul goes on to share that he has learned two specific things from his servant Epaphras: 1) what it meant to be a faithful minister of Christ (MISSION), and 2) how to share God’s love (EVANGELISM). Who is mentoring us or shaping how we think, feel and behave? As the passage continues, we perceive that Epaphras inspired Paul to pray for the people of God without ceasing. Paul prayed for three things: 1) that the people of God might be filled with the knowledge of God's will, 2) that the people might lead lives worthy of the Lord, and 3) that the people might bear fruit for God’s glory. How often do we pray, and what do we pray for? Through a strong prayer life, Paul believed that: 1) the faith community would be made strong through adversity, 2) the people would be prepared to patiently endure the trials and tribulations of life, and 3) the church would be able to find joy in whatever situation it faced. What expectations do we have with regards to an answer to our prayers? Do we believe that through Jesus Christ God had already rescued us from the power of darkness and given us a share in the inheritance of the saints? How might this belief impact our mindset, ministry and overall approach to life?
Have you ever faced a situation where ignoring the ‘elephant in the room’ was the more comfortable option but someone chose to draw attention to the ‘elephant’? Well, this is what happened when the Pharisees and Sadducees came forward for baptism. John the Baptist looked them in the eye and stated the obvious: “You brood of vipers!” As awkward as it might have been for those standing around John the Baptist, the people knew that the Pharisees and Sadducees were hypocrites who lacked a spirit of repentance. John not only called the Pharisees and Sadducees out, but he also acknowledged his own unworthiness. "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” The real ‘elephant in the room’ is our own sinful state. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Unless we truly repent, we remain in our sin - and the wages of sin is death. There is no avoiding this reality. The good news is that if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
To God be the glory now and forever. Amen.
Fr. Thomas+
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