Tuesday of 15th week in Ordinary Time, July 17, 2007

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-15. Psalm 69:3.14.30-31.33-34. Matthew 11:20-24.
Lectionary # 390:

It is Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, who is the heroine today. She
saves the baby Moses by entrusting his weaning to his own mother who
remains unknown to the Egyptian princess who wishes to adopt the baby boy.
The etymology of Moses name is a popular one signifying the "action of his
being drawn out of the water." Thus the great story of Moses begins. He
will be the leader, the law-giver, and the mediator for his people Israel
as the slowly but surely under Divine Providence will experience the
Exodus. Freedom and Land are on the horizon for the Chosen People of God.
Steadily, the tribes are being formed into a nation according to th divine
plan of salvation for God's people. Moses will continue to have a key role
in the formative process for the nation of Israel. In our Psalm and its
response, we are led to see the message of the Gospel. It is a hymn of
trust in God which results in returning to the Lord if one has wandered
away from the right paths. The Gospel is a call to conversion and reform.
This word "reform" is used twice in our short Gospel reading and keys us in
on the theme for today. Prayer and righteous living will assure us of a
return to God. The warning Jesus gives us is helpful for us to keep our
ultimate goal in mind--union with God in the kingdom of God. We all have
had different sorts of conversion experiences and can use them as a way of
renewing ourselves this day in a formative way. The great leader Moses and
his sister Miriam offer us good examples of being attentive to God's
suggestions. We are probably on the right road but it is good to take a
look at God's road map for us so that we do not wander and get lost.
Simply following the leadership of Moses and that of Jesus is part of this
formative message for the day. Amen.