The LORD said to Moses,
"I see how stiff-necked this people is.
Let me alone, then,
that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them.
Then I will make of you a great nation."
But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying,
"Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people....
Moses's conversation with the Lord about the people they are leading through the wilderness is a study in frustration. They go back and forth between them. One complains while the other condoles; and then the other threatens to give it up while the other reassures. These people are not easy to deal with!
But let me digress for a moment: As I read the wonderful selections of the patristics each morning in our liturgical Office of Readings, I find that the great bishops of the early church often failed to connect these people -- the Old Testament grumblers, complainers, and traitors -- with the New Testament church. In other words, they left the implication that the Jews were sinfully ignorant of God's mercy, but we Christians get it.
We don't. Our magisterium -- that spiritual church that is securely guided by the Holy Spirit -- gets it but we don't. We are still the sinful children of our Old and New Testament ancestors. Salvation is from the Jews and Christians who think they are superior to Jews of the new or old covenant are in mortal danger. Enough said! (for the moment.)
Jesus is the new Moses who, like his ancestor, intercedes continually before the Father for his sinful Church. As we hear the LORD's complaint in today's selection from Exodus we should tremble with fear for our Church, our nation, and ourselves. Can anyone do atonement for our sins? Can the crucifixion and death of one man close the breach that has opened through the walls of our holy city; can it purify the streets, shops, and homes of this bewildered center of the earth?
In today's gospel we watch the Lord stand strong before his opponents. He argues reasonably against their irrational opposition. He is insists that they have the credible testimony of first, John the Baptist; second, the works of God which he has done and they have seen; and finally, the scriptures. These witnesses acknowledge the authority of Jesus.
"But you do not want to come to me to have life."
We have no excuse for our refusal to trust him with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength.
As we approach Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and Easter we recognize our failure even to observe the practices of Lent. Many of our good intentions have been compromised; some of them never got off the ground! Nor has the world paused to admire our Lenten observance. They noticed the hilarity of Mardi Gras; they might have taken part in it. But Lent is a wash; it's not on the calendar.
And so we begin again, two weeks before Holy Thursday, to walk with the Lord as he atones for our sins, the sins of our ancestors, and the appalling criminality of the human race. Can one man's prayer be heard before the just anger of God; can one man's death atone for so much?
Yes, if he is the Son of God. We hope and pray and believe that he is.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.