Scripture Reading: Exodus chapter 13
Brief
outline of Exodus 13: Following their deliverance from Egypt, God commands
that all firstborn males, both human and animal, be consecrated to Him, as a
reminder of how He spared the Israelites’ firstborn during the final plague.
Moses instructs the people to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread annually,
commemorating their swift departure from Egypt. God leads the Israelites on a
longer route to avoid conflict with the Philistines, guiding them with a pillar
of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Moses also takes Joseph’s bones
with them, fulfilling Joseph’s request to be buried in Canaan.
Lessons
from St. Gregory of Nyssa (‘Life of Moses’):
St. Gregory
notes that when individuals commit to lead a virtuous life and abandon their
previous sinful behaviours, similar to Israelites heeding Moses's call to leave
Egyptian dominion, they often encounter temptations that cause distress, fear,
and even threats of death. In such circumstances, those new to the faith might
lose hope. However, the presence of a capable spiritual leader, akin to Moses,
can provide guidance to alleviate fear and strengthen their resolve with
assurances of divine support. When such individuals are overwhelmed by the
onslaught of temptations, the spiritual father/mother intercedes for them to
the Lord to facilitate their safe passage through the sea of temptations.
This divine
assistance will not materialize unless the spiritual leader's heart seeks
communion with God. To someone facing such circumstances, the presence of Aaron
can only be of limited help. Like Moses had Aaron’s support, we may receive
human help in our spiritual journey but ultimately, it is God’s presence and
guidance that lead us through our struggles.
Many spiritual leaders focus solely on external appearances, giving
little thought to their inner spiritual life. However, Moses was an exception.
He encouraged the Israelites to be courageous while inwardly communicating with
God without uttering a sound. The Scriptures suggest that the voice pleasing to
God is not produced by vocal organs but arises from sincere meditation of a
pure conscience.
[An example from the Holy
Scripture to illustrate this point. When prophet Samuel was commanded by God to
go to Jesse’s household to choose one of his sons as the next king of Israel.
Looking at the physical state of the eldest son, Samuel thought he might be the
anointed one. “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his
appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him, for
the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:6-7)].
During the journey of Israelites, the cloud served as a guide. St. Gregory teaches the cloud symbolizes the grace of the Holy Spirit, which guides the worthy pilgrims towards godliness. Those who are led by the Holy Spirit are able to navigate obstacles (even the gigantic ones) in their spiritual journey like how Israelites crossed the Red Sea to a life of safety and freedom, while those who attempt to capture or harm them are thwarted by the same obstacles.
St. Gregory
emphasizes that what happened historically (the events in the story of Moses)
also happens continuously in a spiritual sense. This means that the divine
guidance and deliverance experienced by Moses and the Israelites are available
to anyone who seeks to escape their own “Egypt”.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
1. How much attention do I give to my inner spiritual life compared to my outward appearances and actions?
2. How can I incorporate sincere meditation and prayer
into my daily routine to strengthen my spiritual journey? In what ways can I
share my own experiences and insights to help others on their spiritual
journey?
In Christ,
Rincy
Ref: Gregory of Nyssa, Saint. The Life of Moses. Translated by A.J. Malherbe and E. Ferguson, HarperCollins, 2006, pp. 64-65. HarperCollins Spiritual Classics series. (Original translation published by Paulist Press, 1978)
Disclaimer: The content presented here is a
paraphrased summary based on my reading and understanding of the book cited
above and is intended solely for educational and devotional purposes during
Lent. They are not intended to replace the original work or represent the views
of the author or publisher. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original
book for a comprehensive understanding.
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