MOSES
Since he was the adopted son of Pharoah's daughter, Moses could walk the lines of the Hebrew slaves. Arrogant, he could interfere in other people's affairs. So he killed an Egyptian overseer and hid the body. But he was confronted by a Hebrew shortly after and he realised the police wold soon be after him. His arrogance tumbled down, he threw his dignity to the four winds and took to his heels to the land of the Beduin. So the high prince got himself fixed as a sheep grazer, had to eat humble pie and take down his pretension. God does not work through arrogant people, keeping himself away from those who are full of themselves. Now that Moses had hit rock bottom he was ready to be God's instrument. So he led the flocks up to the mountains. The quiet hills allow for a lot of meditation or at least undisturbed thinking. The sheep dd their grazing and Moses mulled over his fortunes and present situation. He had escaped from the bondage, was happily married to one of Jethro's daughters, and was settling down to a peaceful future. His compatriots were far below groaning on the plains. But even though he was out of earshot, he somehow could not shut out the sound of their cries. Nothing he did could distract him from the echo of those cries. They were sounding from inside him; his inner being was like a sounding board. That is what the Bible writer means when he makes God say ro Moses, "The cries of your fellow countrymen reach my ears.
Moses began realising that there was a psychic dissonance, a dichotomy within himself . Here he was enjoying the peace of the hillside with little to do, happily married and sharing the wealth of his father-in-law. And there were his compatriots suffering under the lash of slave labour.
Moses realised that he a fugitive from himself. Something was burning within him, and the fire would not go out. That is the deepest meaning of the unquenchable burning bush. The burning bush was within him. He saw that he was not being honest with himself, this self that for which he should have the utmost respect. That explains the holy ground for which Moses had to remove his sandals - the holy ground of the true self. A person who runs away from what he honestly thinks is his duty is unfaithful to himself. Thus Moses realised that if he had to be true to his deepest self he had to give up his escapist way of life and go down and liberate his people. He did go down and told Pharoah, his adoptive grandfather, "Let my people go." And he did get them out eventually. He proved that his most intimate inspiration did not cheat on him, that could be true to himself and come out a winner.
Lent is a time when we can listen to what out most honest self is trying to tell us. Like Jesus, left for 40 days and nights to himself, and Moses on the quiet mountain slopes, let each one of us give him/herself some free time everyday, to move freely within ourselves and listen to what the inner honest self has to say. You may well hear complaints for the way you have been neglecting yourself, or distracting yourself from important issues of life, or care and concern for others, shutting out the call of the Spirit or the cries of those who are hurting.
Looking for God's plan? Seeking his will? Where will you find it? In Holy Scripture,,,teaching of the Church? Yes, but it can be pretty general. Take a decision in your particular circumstances, a decision that only you can take. Keeping yourself open to the Word of God, do what you sincerely think is the most HONEST. No one is infallible. Find the Holy Spirit in the depth of your heart (Vatican Council).
Moses realised that he a fugitive from himself. Something was burning within him, and the fire would not go out. That is the deepest meaning of the unquenchable burning bush. The burning bush was within him. He saw that he was not being honest with himself, this self that for which he should have the utmost respect. That explains the holy ground for which Moses had to remove his sandals - the holy ground of the true self. A person who runs away from what he honestly thinks is his duty is unfaithful to himself. Thus Moses realised that if he had to be true to his deepest self he had to give up his escapist way of life and go down and liberate his people. He did go down and told Pharoah, his adoptive grandfather, "Let my people go." And he did get them out eventually. He proved that his most intimate inspiration did not cheat on him, that could be true to himself and come out a winner.
Lent is a time when we can listen to what out most honest self is trying to tell us. Like Jesus, left for 40 days and nights to himself, and Moses on the quiet mountain slopes, let each one of us give him/herself some free time everyday, to move freely within ourselves and listen to what the inner honest self has to say. You may well hear complaints for the way you have been neglecting yourself, or distracting yourself from important issues of life, or care and concern for others, shutting out the call of the Spirit or the cries of those who are hurting.
Looking for God's plan? Seeking his will? Where will you find it? In Holy Scripture,,,teaching of the Church? Yes, but it can be pretty general. Take a decision in your particular circumstances, a decision that only you can take. Keeping yourself open to the Word of God, do what you sincerely think is the most HONEST. No one is infallible. Find the Holy Spirit in the depth of your heart (Vatican Council).
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