The Bigger Picture

Happy Thursday, dear reader!! It is going to be a warm, albeit, wet Thursday here, but I'll take rain over snow any day!! It has been a long and cold winter and I'm more than ready for a glorious Spring!

Our first reading today takes us to the book of Exodus. The Israelites have been on a journey to find a place of peace. Moses had gone to the mount to speak with God. The people had become worried that he hasn't come back. So, they turn to Aaron to do something. They are looking for someone or something to worship. They are in need of a new leader. They do not have the patience to wait for Moses to return. This was not a good choice. When God gets wind of what the people are doing, He tells Moses that he best hurry back and put these people straight, "Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved." (Ex 32:7, NAB). 

Worshipping a golden calf may not seem so immoral to us today. We've all seen a lot worse. But back in the time of Moses, God saw this a real affront. This was sinful and scandalous behavior. Here He was, trying to liberate these people, finding them a place of peace where they could live out their days, and as soon as their leader disappears for a bit, they go all haywire. God is so insensed that He tells Moses to leave Him alone so He can think about how He wants to teach these people a lesson, "Let Me alone, then, that My wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation." (Ex 32:10, NAB). But Moses wants to give these people a second chance. God decides to listen to Moses and spares them. However, Moses is now armed with the Ten Commandments. Now there are rules, given straight from God, on how they should conduct themselves from here on out.

We all make mistakes. We all wander off the path that God has chosen for us. We all want to fit in with the rest of society. That's what Moses tries to tell God. These were His people. God chose them to settle a new land where they would be free to worship Him without fear of condemnation. They've been wandering in this desert, they are in need of direction, of hope. And God realized this. He gave His rules for the people to follow so that they wouldn't lose sight of the bigger picture. 

Which brings us to John's Gospel. It's a bit confusing as it refers to giving witness to God, needing people to confirm things, who is fit to be the witnesses. So, in Father Bill's video, he asks us a simple question to ponder. What has brought you here? Why now? Is God trying to lead you out of your own desert? What does that desert look like? Where are you trying to go and why? 

As you try and answer those questions, go back and reread todays passages. How does your life mimic them? Have you asked the Lord to spare you from your sins? Search your heart today. Find the places where you need some encouragment. Pray on that. Meditate on it. Then ask God to guide you to where you need to be. And, as always, dear reader.. be a nice human. 😇

Father Bill's reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXEwxkRUj0M