Readings: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15, Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12, Luke 13:1-9
Gerard Manley Hopkins tells us in one of his poems that “The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out…” It seems this truth was experienced by Moses in the first reading of today’s Liturgy. While performing his ordinary duty of tending his father-in-law’s sheep Moses notices something unusual, a flaming bush that glows, and is on fire, but is not consumed. He goes to investigate and there he encounters the God of his people.
Moses responds to God’s call and is ready to remove his sandals because God tells him that where he is standing is holy ground. In a simple encounter with God Moses accepts his mission to lead God’s people into a new land. And God tells Moses that He will always be with him in the simple and ordinary, for He is present in all places and all peoples.
So too for each of us. Where we stand is holy ground for the God whose name is I AM awaits our response of loving service wherever we stand for God is truly present as light and as love. Let us listen in quiet to God’s voice within our own hearts and the voice of God spoken in many places and through many peoples. And let us remove our sandals so we can be anchored in the place where we are and offer our grateful hearts to our God of mercy and compassion.
Sister Maria Kruszewski, CSFN
