The Catholic Calendar for Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Exodus 2:1-15
Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34
Matthew 11:20-24

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

In today's first reading a young Moses tries to break up a fight between two Hebrews, his own kinsman. His attempt only brought him a sharp rebuke from one of the combatants: "Who has appointed you ruler and judge over us?" If only this Hebrew knew Who had actually made plans for Moses to be ruler and judge over the Hebrew nation, he might have changed his attitude a little. God's plan was already set in motion, but there was still some preparation work to be done.

Moses fled to the land of Midian after this confrontation and it is there that God begins molding him to be the leader and judge over the Hebrews. It is here that he meets the Lord; it is here that he’s taught by God Himself and given the charge to lead his kinsman from slavery to freedom. This is a recurring step in nearly anyone's life who is called to the Lord's service. As with Moses, the prophets, Jesus and numerous saints, they began their service with a term of exile, whether self-imposed or forced -- and it is here that the Lord does His work, so that those called can do theirs. It’s also very common to read in scripture and in the lives of the saints, that after their work is in full swing, they take retreat to pray, to be led and taught and to get direction from the Lord. Moses and Jesus did it alone on mountains, others did it in their monasteries, in deserts or in other isolated places.

This should serve as a model for us, even today. God has a calling for us all and to hear the call, to learn and be directed, we must also have our own exiles and retreats. These should be regular parts of our Christian lives. When was your last retreat, a good and thorough separation from the daily grind to hear and speak with the Lord? If you cannot remember when it was, or if you’ve never spent time in retreat, or failed to give the last one "your all", then plan one again soon. He is waiting....

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

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