Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Priest

Lectionary: 401

So Moses went back to the LORD and said,
"Ah, this people has indeed committed a grave sin in making a god of gold for themselves!
If you would only forgive their sin!
If you will not, then strike me out of the book that you have written."

In these few words from the Book of Exodus we see Moses as a type of Jesus. He offers to suffer the guilt and share the punishment of his foolish people despite his personal innocence. There were certainly moments when he was so weary of leadership and discouraged by their persistent discontent, that he begged to be relieved of duty. Even death seemed better than the charge of leading former slaves to freedom. 

But he found relief in sharing the burden with God; and in standing before God's presence as he demonstrated his courageous compassion. 

We see the same traits in Jesus, especially as he was baptized in the Jordan River. First, when he went down to the Jordan River he milled with the crowds and was baptized with them. He appeared in every way like an ordinary sinner, sharing the guilt, shame, and remorse of his ancestors and contemporaries. He did not hesitate to be washed clean in the muddy Jordan River. As Saint Mark tells the story, John the Baptist seemed not to recognize him, and would later send his own disciples to ask if he was the Messiah. 

He appeared guilty again, when he was arrested by the temple guards and hauled first before the High Priests, and then Herod, and finally the procurator Pontius Pilate. Despite all the loud accusations, he said nothing in his own defense. Who among us, under similar circumstances, would not protest, "You've got the wrong person. I've done nothing wrong?" 

Nor was he playing the hero. Not exactly, though we may regard him as heroic. Rather, he was humbly obeying the guiding Spirit of his Father. Although he was hated and despised by his opponents, he knew their hatred was for the God who created and loved them, the God whom he represented. They found nothing in his behavior to merit their abuse; he had no need to defend or explain himself. Rather, as he said to Pilate, he honored the authority they'd been given by God. 

He would endure God's wrath as he waited upon God's mercy. It would come -- but not till   the third day. He believed that. His reading of Abraham, Moses, and the prophets assured him, as well as the history of his people. Though God has been angry with us, he will forgive us. Moses knew that, as did all the prophets: 

In an outburst of wrath, for a moment

I hid my face from you;

But with enduring love I take pity on you,

says the LORD, your redeemer. Is 54:8