Scripture Reading: Exodus chapter 3
Brief
outline of Exodus 3: While Moses was
tending the flock of his father-in-law, he led them to Mount Horeb, where he
encountered a burning bush that was not consumed by the fire. Curious, Moses
approached, and God called out to him, instructing Moses to remove his sandals
as he was on holy ground. God identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob, and told Moses He had seen the suffering of His people in Egypt and
planned to rescue them by choosing Moses to lead this mission. When Moses
questioned his worthiness, God reassured him of His presence. God instructed
Moses to tell the Israelites that "I AM" had sent him and to gather
their elders to communicate God's promise of deliverance. God predicted
resistance from the Egyptian king but assured Moses of eventual success after
performing wonders. He also promised that the Israelites would leave Egypt with
silver, gold, and clothing from the Egyptians.
Lessons from St. Gregory of Nyssa (‘Life of Moses’):
Moses at his
father in law’s place led a quiet, focused, solitary life, free from
unnecessary talk, conflicts and distractions. St. Gregory says that people who
strive to live a life like this will have the truth shine upon them. This truth
will enlighten their souls, much like the divine light that shone upon Moses.
St. Gregory suggests that by living virtuously, we can understand and
experience the divine light, that which through the Incarnation of Lord Jesus
Christ, came to humanity.
The flame that
enlightened Moses' spirit originated from a thorny bush, symbolizing that
divine light and truth can emerge from modest, earthly sources rather than
solely from celestial or heavenly realms. The burning bush that was not
consumed by the fire represents the Virgin Mary. Just as the bush was not
destroyed by the flame, St. Mary’s virginity was not affected by giving birth
to Jesus.
Through the
Burning Bush, God teaches Moses (and us) on how to stand in proximity to the
divine. Sandaled feet cannot ascend the spiritual heights, nor can
experience the light and truth of Lord Jesus Christ. The sandals represent the
disobedience to the divine will, and these must be removed from our souls
before approaching the sacred.
St. Gregory of
Nyssa contemplates that Moses, during his divine encounter, understood that
things which we can perceive or comprehend don't truly exist independently.
None of them are self-sufficient. Moses became aware of the knowledge of truth
that God, the True Being, is alone self-sufficient, unchanging, the
transcendent essence and cause of the universe upon which everything else
depends. God alone should be our desire.
Just like
Moses gained understanding when he saw the burning bush, we too are called to
look at this light coming from the bush i.e. the light of Christ, removing the
sandals from our feet by divesting ourselves of all the worldly pretensions. A
person who fixes her/his gaze at such light becomes able to help others in
their salvific journey, overcome evil, and free those who are trapped in evil
servitude.
Questions
for Personal Reflection:
How can I better embrace quiet moments in my daily life and shed the
‘worldly’ concerns/sandals to make room for prayer, scripture reading, and
contemplation? How am I allowing the light of God to guide my actions and
decisions-how can I do more of this during the Lenten season? In what ways do I
see God's light coming from humble sources around me-how can I be mindful and
better recognize these moments? How am I striving to preserve my spiritual
purity, akin to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the face of worldly pressures and
temptations? How can I use this Lenten season to cultivate a stronger sense of
God's constant and unchanging presence in my life?
In Christ,
Rincy
Ref: Gregory of Nyssa, Saint. The Life of Moses. Translated by A.J. Malherbe and E. Ferguson, HarperCollins, 2006, pp. 37-39. 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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