HERE AM I…

Exodus 3:1-6,9-12

1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian; and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and lo, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.
3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.” 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here am I.”
5 Then he said, “Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.
10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God upon this mountain.”

Matthew 11:25-27

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; 26 yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will. 27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.  

MEDITATION

THE FIRST READING: Moses’ opulent lifestyle in Pharaohs household has ended to being a lowly shepherd in a foreign place far removed from the elitist life he used to enjoy. Having escaped his former life Moses was so to speak placed in isolation-a retreat- where he could reflect and discern his life and mission. Yahweh is fully aware of Moses’ history, his vulnerable state, restlessness and guilt to the extent that Yahweh gives him a second chance after he was saved from being drowned as a babe. Yahweh situate Himself, partly obscured in the form of a fire to see if Moses will be attracted and drawn to Him! 
God desire that we seek Him above all else. Moses was forgiven his past deeds the moment he approached God who recognized his empty dreadful state. Yahweh always takes the first step to draw us to Him through natural and supernatural revelations. These moments of illumination can be transformative for those who seek to do God’s will and our preparedness to face the enemies permeating our lives.

THE GOSPEL READING: Christ offers a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for using Him to reveal God’s love and mercy to those who are receptive to hear and obey his message. Those of us who are burdened by our history are called to surrender to Christ who is ever waiting to welcome, renew, wash away our sins and reunite us to Him. 
Depending our state of being, this illumination of faith is best achieved if we approach a consecrated ordained priest as a spiritual director to lead us on a retreat of discernment and discovery of God’s plan for us. Moreover our restlessness will come to an end when the moment we surrender, fall on our knees with the invocation “Here am I” and invoke Christ Jesus in prayer and supplication! Christ our redeemer stands ready to wash away our sins and use our testimonies to shepherd others to Him also.

LET US PRAY: Psalms 103:1-4,6-7

Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

6 The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.

•