GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 2ND AUGUST 2017
WEDNESDAY OF THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: Exodus 34:29-35
PSALM: Psalm 99:5-7, 9
GOSPEL: Matthew 13:44-46
THEME: A MOMENT OF GLORY
Sitting under the sun has an effect on a person and walking in the rain also has an effect. Similarly, there is an effect when one perseveringly waits upon God in prayer.
Moses had spent forty days and forty nights on Mount Sinai fasting and waiting upon God in prayer, and writing down the words of Adonai on tablets. As he tarried in the presence of God, unknown to him, the skin of his face changed and became radiant. In our First Reading, we are told, “When Aaron and all the sons of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him” (Exod. 34:30).
The radiance of the face of Moses points to two things: First of all it affirmed the fact that Moses had had an encounter with Adonai. Understandably, ‘Mount Sinai’ within the context of the Exodus narrative has come to signify a place of divine encounter. Secondly, the radiance was a tangible expression that Moses was carrying with him a certain divine presence.
In the footsteps of Moses, when we too climb “Mount Sinai”, i.e. when we too enter into the mode of prayer and we tarry in the presence of God, something happens to us – there is an encounter with the divine and the radiance of God shines forth in our being. Some call this radiance ‘anointing’, others call it ‘unction’ and for others it is ‘the glory of God’. Irrespective of the expression we may give to it, the point here is that when we come into God’s presence, God also comes into our presence. When we seek God’s face, he also seeks to show his glory on our faces. He makes us carry with us his divine presence wherever we go. This brings favour and whatever we touch turns out to be a blessing.
Yes, it pays to spend time with the Lord in prayer. It is never a waste of time. It is a moment of glory.
PRAYER: Eternal Father, in your presence I find so much joy and peace. May your radiance accompany me throughout his day and bring me favour wherever I go through Christ your Son. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the ligh of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).