The courage of Moses and the Chosen People in the Desert.
Courage has been on my mind a lot lately. I don’t know why, but there it is. A few weeks ago on Wednesday at daily Mass, (19th week in Ordinary time Deuteronomy 34:1-12) we ended the story of Moses with his death and the preparation for the people of Israel to enter into the Promised Land…it is promised in the reality that it was give to Abraham and his decedents forever (Gen 12:1-3).
We remember how Moses and the first generation who in the exodus from slavery in Egypt has been forbidden to enter the promised land (Num 20:8-12) for there lack of trust in God’s power and in many other passages in the Book of Numbers we hear of the other offenses denying this generation entry into the land. (there is a link below that will explain this in much more detail)
We know Moses had great courage in confronting Pharaoh, and leading the people out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and to the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments. That would take tremendous courage. But I believe the greater courage happened during the next forty years in the desert. Especially once he heard the news that he could not complete the journey. I can only imagine how hard that would have been…you have been given the heavy task of leading the people but you would need to hand it off to bring it to fruition.
Even more difficult would be slowly watching the generation die; you sister, your brother, and friends, his generation slipping into history. Added to all of this, think about the many struggles, the betrayals, the people wanting to take the easier roads, people turning away from God and the painful path of forgiveness and reconciliation and finally you know you are near, and yet the last step will never be taken.
I think of the courage, the faithful courage not just of Moses but of the entire generation as they knew their fate and yet with trust, even in their failings, passed on and prepared the next generation for the work of faith, the hope of faith, the joy of faith. The strength and the courage to live their faith in the midst of temptation and sin of the surrounding peoples. Preparing their sons and daughters for the failure of sin and living the example of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
This is often the journey of every generation. We know our homeland and destination, but unlike Moses, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we have been granted entry. But like the Israelite’s on their desert journey we are challenged to follow the commandments of our God and pass them on to the next generation.
We can often despair for the next generation receiving the faith and living it to its fullness, but like the faithful courage of Moses, we shouldn’t falter but live and teach over and over again, even when we fail. Returning to the desert road to the promise of the true kingdom of Jesus Christ.
I know by faith that our Father has placed in the spirit of love this word of courage in my heart. I may not know the answer today, but in faith I am called to walk my desert road in the love and mercy of God.
God bless
Fr. Mark