Scripture Reading: Exodus chapter 5
Brief outline of Exodus 5: Moses and Aaron approach Pharaoh with
God’s command to let the Israelites go to hold a festival dedicated to the Lord
in the wilderness. Pharaoh refuses, questioning God’s authority and accusing
Moses and Aaron of distracting the people from their work. Pharaoh increases
the Israelites’ burdens by stopping the supply of straw for brick making, while
still demanding the same quota of bricks. This leads to severe distress among
the Israelites, who then blame Moses and Aaron for their increased suffering. Moses,
in turn, questions God about the worsening situation, expressing his
frustration and doubt.
Lessons from St. Gregory of Nyssa (‘Life of Moses’):
Moses and
Aaron request Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to go and worship God, but
Pharaoh rejects their request and responds by increasing the labour of the
Israelites. St. Gregory of Nyssa compares this narrative to the spiritual
journey of Christians. He suggests that just as the Israelites experienced
increased hardships when seeking freedom, Christians also encounter more
challenges and temptations when they pursue the teachings of the Gospel.
Some
individuals, when encountering these challenges, might reconsider their
decision to follow a spiritual path and prefer not to have received the message
of Christ. This is similar to how the Israelites attributed their increased
difficulties to Moses and Aaron. However, St. Gregory reassures that Christ
Jesus will continue to guide us towards Him, even if we're scared or
overwhelmed by the challenges we face in our spiritual journey.
Drawing
parallel to the increased brick labour being imposed upon Israelites by Pharaoh
when they demanded worship to the Lord, St. Gregory teaches that the evil one
is concerned when man aims to look upward to heaven. Just like the Israelites stooped down day and
night making bricks trying to meet an inhumane production target, St. Gregory
says that the evil one will do everything for humanity to “look down” and be
involved in a ‘rat race’ to chase material pleasures which are never satiating.
People who are
influenced by material desires may not value spiritual discussions and might
dismiss them as idle talk. St. Gregory refers to Pharaoh's statement, "Who
is Yahweh, that I should listen to him? I do not know Yahweh," to
illustrate this point. Pharaoh only valued material and physical things, which
St. Gregory describes as an irrational way of living.
Material
pleasures, such as food and wealth, are fleeting and do not provide lasting
satisfaction. St. Gregory likens these pleasures to clay, composed of earth and
water. Similar to how a brick maker continually adds clay to a mould that never
remains full, individuals who pursue material pleasures often feel unfulfilled
and perpetually seek more. This phenomenon occurs because our desires, or the
appetitive aspect of the soul, are never completely satisfied by transient
things.
The
"straw and its chaff" that were mixed with the bricks represent
things that are destined to be burned up or destroyed. This serves as a warning
against focusing too much on temporary, worldly things instead of eternal,
spiritual ones.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
1. Pause and reflect on the faith of the forty martyrs of Sebaste whom we commemorate today. What material pleasures do I find myself constantly chasing? How do these pursuits affect my spiritual well-being and sense of fulfilment?
2. What
challenges or temptations have I come across while trying to follow the
teachings of the Gospel? How did I respond to these challenges? How have these
experiences affected my faith and determination to continue on this path?
3. The Israelite foremen blamed
Moses for their increased suffering. How do I handle criticism or blame when I
am in a leadership position (church/community/secular job), especially when the
situation is beyond my control? What lessons can I learn from setbacks in my
leadership journey? How do I respond to unjust situations within my sphere of
influence?
In Christ,
Rincy
Ref: Gregory of
Nyssa, Saint. The Life of Moses. Translated by A.J. Malherbe and E. Ferguson,
HarperCollins, 2006, pp. 46-48. 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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