Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Our Old Testament reading today reminds us that it is easy to reject God.
The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for generations when God gave them Moses to gain their freedom and lead them to the Promised Land. Over time, they had witnessed great miracles: the plagues of Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the daily appearance of manna in the desert to feed them. They had seen God leading them in the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of cloud by day. What did they do as soon as Moses left them to receive the Ten Commandments? They rejected the God who had saved them. They formed an image of a calf out of gold and began to worship the work of their hands. God said to Moses, “They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them.” God made the observation, “I see how stiff-necked this people is.”
But we are “stiff-necked” too – even after we have been blessed greatly by God, we often all too quickly turn our attention to what we want rather than giving our full attention to what God wants. We go to confession – and are completely forgiven -- and sin soon after. Young people are Confirmed – and receive the power of the Holy Spirit -- and never go back to another religious education class or even Mass. We make promises to God and break them the same day.
Thank God for those people who continue to pray for our salvation, like Moses did. Moses asked God to spare his people from the punishment they rightfully deserved. God heard the pleas of Moses for his people and relented in his punishment.
Let us pray for one another. First, we pray that our necks become less “stiff” so that we can turn our heads and see just how good God has been to us and be more faithful to moving in his direction. Second, let us pray that God will overlook our sins and foibles – and be kind and merciful to us, to our families, to our fellow parishioners, to our priests and bishops, and to the world.