19 July 2021
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
“Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.”
Today’s first reading builds on Sunday’s reading of the Divine Shepherd, as we encounter another story of being part of God’s flock. Moses – a shepherd himself – has recently led God’s flock out of Egypt toward a new pasture in an unknown land which was promised to be one of freedom and flowing with milk and honey. The exuberance of their recent liberation has given way to distress in the face of new hardships, an insurmountable sea wall, and the fear of the advancement of Egypt’s army. In the face of almost certain death, God’s flock exclaims to their shepherds, both God and Moses:
“Why did you bring us out of Egypt?
Did we not tell you this in Egypt, when we said,
‘Leave us alone. Let us serve the Egyptians’?
Far better for us to be the slaves of the Egyptians
than to die in the desert.”
I used to look down on the people of Israel here on the banks of the Red Sea, “how could they have forgotten God’s great actions that freed them from Egypt’s grip such a short time ago? How could they prefer slavery to God’s promise of freedom and a new life?” This foolish thought of mine from years ago has given way to great compassion and understanding of their feelings. How often, in my own life, have I forgotten the graces worked in my life when I am faced with something that I’m afraid of or the pain of dying to a former way of life? How often have I chosen (or longed) to be back in a type of slavery to an old habit or way of being instead of the glory of what God has in store for me? Fear is a powerful motivating factor of the evil one. As members of God’s flock, we need to heed the words of Moses and of Christ when faced with fears and struggles in our journey with God: “Fear not! Stand your ground…the Lord himself will fight for you; you have only to keep still.” Let us pray today asking the Lord to help us stand our ground, to keep still, and trust in God’s work in our life to overcome all obstacles no matter our fear or doubt.