In the Footsteps of Moses: A Lenten Voyage with St. Gregory of Nyssa (Step#3)

 

Scripture Reading: Exodus chapter 2

Brief outline of Exodus 2:  Moses is born to a Levite family when Pharaoh orders all Hebrew male infants killed. His mother hides him for three months, then places him in a basket in the Nile. Pharaoh’s daughter finds and raises him. Moses' sister arranges for their mother to nurse him. Moses kills an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave and flees to Midian when Pharaoh seeks to kill him. In Midian, Moses defends the daughters of priest of Midian (Reuel/Jethro) from shepherds and helps water their flock. Reuel welcomes Moses into his home, and Moses eventually marries his daughter, Zipporah. Moses’ time in Midian is a period of preparation and growth, as he learns humility and patience. God hears the Israelites’ cries for help and remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Lessons from St. Gregory of Nyssa (‘Life of Moses’):

After giving birth to her baby, likely with the assistance of midwives, Moses's mother devised a plan to ensure the infant's survival by protecting him from both the Egyptians and potential harm from the water. In a similar manner, free will involves not only initiating a virtuous life but also prudently nurturing it with appropriate spiritual food and safeguarding it against the turbulence of passion. Moses’s mother created a basket to protect the baby in the waters. According to St Gregory, this ark symbolizes education in various disciplines that provide foundational support for enduring life's challenges.

Life is often chaotic and full of distractions. People who strive to live virtuously can sometimes be seen as a burden or an outcast by others. To avoid being overwhelmed by these distractions, we should follow the example of Moses. Baby Moses was crying when Pharaoh’s daughter opened the basket (v.6) even though he was safely tucked in the basket. Regardless of whether we live a life of privilege or are in a stable and secure position or are in place of safety like Moses was in the basket, we should not hold back tears. These tears represent our sincere emotions and prayers, which protect and guide us as we strive to live a virtuous life.

Despite living in the Egyptian palace, Moses stayed connected to his Hebrew roots through his mother’s care. While reflecting on Moses who was raised by Pharaoh’s daughter but nursed by his mother, St. Gregory instruct us that if we are exposed to secular or non-religious teachings during our education, it is imperative not to forsake the teachings and traditions of the Church. This spiritual nourishment helps our souls grow and mature, enabling greater spiritual heights. In essence, while it is acceptable to learn from the external world, we must remain steadfast in our faith and adherence to the teachings of the Church, as they constitute the foundation for our spiritual development.

St. Gregory says that the fight between the Egyptian and the Hebrew symbolizes the struggle between idolatry and true faith, and between vice and virtue- of impiety against self‐ control, of injustice against righteousness, of arrogance against humility. Moses teaches us by his own example to take our stand with virtue as with a kinsman and to kill virtue's adversary. [The commentary on Exodus 2 to be continued in tomorrow’s posting]

Questions for Personal Reflection:

Moses contended with his sense of identity. Reflect on your experiences navigating your Christian faith and identity within a society that may not share your beliefs. Does blending in the community (or even faith community) lead you to forego your faith and ideals?

Moses reacted with anger and killed the Egyptian. Reflect on those instances where you reacted impulsively to a situation? What was the outcome? Even in the most challenging situations, consider how can our actions align with the spiritual or moral values. 

In Christ,

Rincy

 

Ref: Gregory of Nyssa, Saint. The Life of Moses. Translated by A.J. Malherbe and E. Ferguson, HarperCollins, 2006, pp. 33-35. 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.