Daily Scriptures Reflection and Morning Prayer for Wednesday, 7/31/13

Scripture: Lectionary 403. Exodus 34:29-35. Psalm 99:5.6.7.9. Matthew 13:44-46:

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God continues to speak with Moses and share with him the plan of salvation for the Israelites—their liberation and their entrance in the Land. When Moses speaks with God his face is radiant with the glory from the Presence of God (Kabod or glory also can mean the presence of God). Moses needs to veil his countenance in order to speak with the people who could not endure the brightness of his face. This happens whenever Moses is in contact with God on Mount Sinai or when he is in the Tent of the Meeting with the overshadowing of a cloud indicate that God is present to Moses and is speaking with him.

In reflecting upon this I remembered that Paul refers to this veiling of Moses’ face due to the glory and presence of God. In II Corinthians 3:18 and in 4:6 we have these words of Paul: “And all of us with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. …For it God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness”, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Matthew gives us two of the last three parables among the seven in chapter 13. We are encouraged by these fascinating parables to search for the treasure hidden in the field and for the pearl of great price—meaning we must find God at the very center of our hearts through our faith and our fidelity to prayer. For where our true treasure is, there is our heart: God! Both Moses and Jesus teach us to surrender to the presence of God. Amen.