III SUNDAY OF LENT - Ex 3:1-8,13-15
Paul teaches us how to read the Scriptures and how to look at the events related in them. To the Corinthians he wrote:
“These things all happened as warnings for us” and they were “written down to be a lesson for us” (1 Co 10:11).
And they must be read in reference to Jesus Christ. In the desert, people drank water from the rock, and “that rock was Christ” (1 Co 10:4). Jesus Christ is the key for the understanding and the interpretation of the books of the Old Testament. It is through him that they get meaning and serve of guidance to us, leading us to Him, who is the truth.
This Sunday’s first reading presents us with the extraordinary experience of Moses, which transformed his life, giving meaning and purpose to it. Being a runaway, he lived in a strange land, conformed to his own fate. From a prince of Egypt, he had become a shepherd in the wilderness, spending most of the time faraway from the family, moving around with his flock. How different it was from the noise and the glare of the court! Alone, he had time to reflect and to be confronted with himself. And then the unexpected happened. In Ex 3:1-15, we find a theophany, that is a visible manifestation of God’s presence and, at the same time, the call of Moses.
With his flock, Moses had moved beyond the usual territory and found himself near the mountain of God. Where was that mountain? That does not matter! What matters is that he became aware of something extraordinary, and decided to go and check.
“I must go and look at this strange sight.”
This attentiveness to what surrounds us, so that we may be touched by what is different is essential for an experience of God. It is through this window that God’s light reaches our minds and hearts. And then Moses decided to go and see. Without this attitude of search, we just pass by, and nothing may impress us. So Moses approached in order to have a good look. Then he received a strong warning. He cannot approach anyhow. One must take precautions. Indeed, we cannot approach the divine and the sacred, without an effort of purification of our minds and hearts. We must take off the shoes, that is everything that keeps us attached to the dust of this world.
And God revealed himself as the liberator, who listens to the cries of the oppressed and is ready to take action in their favour. At Moses’ request, he revealed his name - Yahweh (YHWH) - I AM. This I AM does not refer to his eternity, but to his loving and caring presence. I am here for you. I am here, and so I listen to your cries and see the tears in your eyes. I am here walking with you, in order to guide and protect you. I am the Saviour and the Liberator.
God revealed himself to Moses in order to send him. Moses is called in order to be given a mission:
“This is what you must say to the sons of Israel: “I Am has sent me to you.” (Ex 3:14)
Moses tries to refuse, giving all kinds of excuses, but when God calls there are no excuses. And so Moses carried out the mission entrusted to him, taking his people out of slavery and leading them to freedom.
How can this be applied to us?
If we have an open heart like Moses, God’s voice and God’s call will resonate in us ad we will be able to fulfil God’s purpose of love and salvation to all who are suffering the oppressions of this world. Whenever God calls, that call goes with a mission. Like Moses, we are called to be at the service of others. When God reveals himself and calls someone, it is always for a mission of service, and never for our own selfishness. In the fulfilment of our mission, we are expected to produce fruits - the fruits of mercy and love that come from God.
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