Scripture Reading: Exodus chapter 18,19
In Exodus 18, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, visits Moses in the
wilderness, bringing Moses’ wife and sons with him. Jethro observes Moses
handling all the judicial responsibilities for the Israelites and advises him
to delegate these duties to capable men to prevent burnout. Moses heeds
Jethro’s advice, appointing leaders to share the burden of judging the people.
In Exodus 19,
the Israelites arrive at Mount Sinai, where God calls Moses to the mountain to
establish a covenant with His people. God instructs Moses to relay His words to
the Israelites, promising that they will be His treasured possession and a holy
nation if they obey His commands. The people consecrate themselves for three
days in preparation for God’s arrival. On the third day, amidst thunder,
lightning, and a thick cloud, God descends on Mount Sinai, and the people
tremble in awe. God warns Moses to set boundaries around the mountain to
prevent anyone from approaching it without proper consecration. [In the
commentary below, St. Gregory focuses on the events in chapter 19]
Lessons
from St. Gregory of Nyssa (‘Life of Moses’):
Continuing
their journey, the Israelites entered the wilderness of Sinai and camped in
front of the mountain. Moses and the cloud led the Israelites in wilderness.
According to St. Gregory, Moses and the cloud are the guides for those growing
in virtue, with Moses representing the Law and the cloud symbolizing a proper
understanding of the Law.
The
individual's spiritual journey begins with purification, symbolized by crossing
the waters. This person then distances themselves from negative influences and
begins to live a life devoid of worldly pleasures, represented by the bitter
waters of Marah. However, this lifestyle becomes sweet when they accept the
"wood", which could symbolize the cross of Christ. The believer then
appreciates the beauty of the palm trees and springs, which represent those who
preach the Gospel and the spiritual nourishment they provide. They receive
heavenly bread (spiritual sustenance) and fight against foreign adversaries
(sin or temptation). The "outstretched hands of the lawgiver" (Moses)
ensure their victory, and this is seen as a prefiguration of the cross of
Christ.
After going
through all these stages, the believer progresses to the contemplation and
deeper understanding of God's divine nature and mysteries.
St. Gregory of
Nyssa emphasizes the importance of purity in both body and soul for someone who
seeks to be in God’s presence. He explains that it’s not just about physical
cleanliness, like washing clothes or using ritual vessels, but also about being
morally and spiritually pure. This means that a person must be free from any
kind of impurity or sin, both outwardly and inwardly, to be worthy of
approaching God. The divine command is to wash
the garments before the ascend to the mountain. St. Gregory teaches that there
is a spiritual context to it as it cannot be the case that a visible stain on
the garments impedes the progress of those ascending towards God.
According to
St. Gregory, the “garments” represent our outward actions and behaviours which
should be clean and moral as we strive to connect with the divine. The act of
washing garments before ascending the mountain symbolizes this need for uprightness
in our actions that aligns with and reflects the inner purity of the soul.
[Commentary
on Exodus 19 to be continued on 27 March 2025, after the postings on (i) Annunciation
to St. Mary (St. Gregory alludes the Tabernacle, which Moses was instructed to
build, as prefiguring Christ Jesus and His incarnation) and (ii)
Mid-Lent posting (Numbers 21)]
Questions
for Personal Reflection:
1) How can I apply Jethro’s advice on delegation to ensure I have enough
time for my family and personal prayer? Am I balancing my corporate
responsibilities with my spiritual and familial commitments, or am I neglecting
them in the race for professional success?
2) Who are the mentors or advisors in my life that I can turn to for
guidance? Have I ever turned to spiritually rooted mentors? If yes, how can
their spiritual grounding help me in my own journey?
3) As we commemorate the faith of the Canaanite woman in the healing of
her daughter, reflect on the struggle and contributions of the family members
especially the women in your life to your overall success. What measures can I
employ at home to provide the women in my family with relief from gruelling
responsibilities and stress that they have internalized?
4) The Israelites were instructed to prepare themselves to meet God. How
do I prepare myself spiritually and mentally for encountering God in prayer and
worship (Holy Qurbana)?
In Christ,
Rincy
Ref: Gregory
of Nyssa, Saint. The Life of Moses. Translated by A.J. Malherbe and E.
Ferguson, HarperCollins, 2006, pp. 76-77. 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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