Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Today we have two examples of humility and compassion. Moses is sent down from the mountain by God only to see the people worshiping and sacrificing to a molten calf and calling it their God, thus betraying the God who brought them out of the land of slavery. God threatened to destroy the people and offered to make a “great nation” of Moses. But Moses’ compassion for the people out-weighed the allure of power and prestige. Instead he pleaded with God saying, “Let your blazing wrath die down; relent in punishing your people.” And even reminded God of the promise he had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Moses’s love and compassion for people revealed the mercy of God.
In today’s Gospel Jesus says, “If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is not true. But there is another who testifies on my behalf.” Jesus is revealing that, “The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.” The works and miracles he performs are not for human praise, for he says, “I do not accept human praise.” Rather, they reveal the salvation from our God, for Jesus says, “I say this so that you may be saved.” We see that both Jesus and Moses do not seek the prestige and power, but rather they seek to reveal the merciful Love of the Father. Is this how you are living your life?
Reflection by Br. Placid Dale, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources