Daily Readings Reflection for 7/28/09

Reflection on the Daily Readings for 7/28/09 by Fr. Bertrand Buby, SM

Scripture: Tues.of 17th week. Exodus 33:7-11,34:5-9.28. Psalm 103:6-7,8-9,
10-11.12-13. Matthew 13:35-43. Lectionary # 402:

Leisure is a word that bring joy to us especially when we feel the overload
of each day with its problems, work, responsibilities and surprises. We
know that Jesus took his disciples aside for a while to find rest from the
crowds that pressed upon them and him. Surely, prayer set aside each day,
offers us a little of this, but often that is not enough. We need what many
people call a "retreat." If we can afford this and get away from our usual
location and dwelling we do find peace and refeshment and feel like a new
person when we come back charged with some new energy and some spiritual growth in our journey of faith. Well, the reading from Exodus would be an ideal point of departure for the beginning of such a retreat alone and away from the crowds. The excerpt we have is put together in a comprehensible way in the liturgical reading and helps us to experience the God who wants us to be present to the revelation he is to share with us through this event captured in Exodus.

Moses is able to invoke the God who appeared to him in the burning bush and address him as Adonai (Yahweh) or Lord. We hear the revelatory words, "The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity, continuing his kindness for a thousand generations and forgiving weakness, crime and sin." This is a great image of God and we know it is divinely revealed. We should revel in the Presence of the Lord and dwell on these words.

Moses had a tent in which he experienced this Presence of God and stayed
there for forty days. It was almost like an Ignatian Retreat! It was a
time in which God was speaking to him as a friend speaks to a friend. He
remained there and continued the dialogue. We too can dwell on this
passage for some time and be comforted by what it is telling and revealing
to us about a God who is ever present to us. We may need to take a look at
our calendar and take some time apart to spend in retreat with God. If we
can then with a listening heart and an open mind the Lord will bless us
with peace and joy. When we return from the retreat our energies will be
there to continue the regular journey of our faith life in the chaos of our
world. May God give us the chance of such an opportunity soon. Amen.