It is inevitable that we are at times consciously and at others unconsciously formed by the world around us. I think one of the challenges with modernity is our short sightedness. We forget all the effort that was poured into our education by others and we can even believe that what we have is earned and not an absolute gift. The encounter with God that Mosses experiences in our first reading helps us understand that when God intervenes in our lives for the life of others, there is no turning back. He uses us to answer the prayers of others, to be His answer when someone is on the brink of despair or recognizes their lack of freedom enslaved to this world. The challenge Moses faces is that humanity, if left to our own devices, will choose slavery in Egypt every time. It is far easier to rely on the strength of our own hands than God’s. It is far easier to trust in the security of wealth and armies over the security of faith. As our second reading reminds us, the transition of trust in faith is a difficult one. Many people in Israel’s exodus never saw the promised land. It is a change in the way that we see and value this passing world that God requires from our hearts. A life that acknowledges sacrifice in love and God’s sovereignty over our lives. Once we have walked through that long desert, we begin to see what God is talking about in our Gospel reading. The gifts we have been given, the good and the bad, have shaped our lives. God has given us the freedom to decide if we will blossom and fruit in gratitude or soak up blessings and refuse to do anything with God’s generous love. The comforting part of this weekend’s readings reveal that God is more generous and more patient with us than we are with ourselves. His Divine patience and His Divine Mercy allow us to over time abandon this world’s values. To place our trust in Him to lead us out of slavery and to lead us to the promised land is our goal. This requires following Him, and allowing the grace given to us in the sacraments to flow out to others. This is the fruit He asks of us. As part of your Lenten journey this week, please spend time thinking about your blessings and how God is asking for your generosity in return. May the Love, Peace and Grace of God be with you, Fr. Adam
