Wednesday of the Fifteenth Week in Oridinary Time/Saint Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the Church

Today's Mass Readings

A great teacher and theologian, St. Bonaventure was a Franciscan. St. Bonaventure is considered one of the founders of the Franciscans. His depth of understanding brought clarity and recommitment to the teachings of Francis. In many ways St. Bonaventure’s life reflects his vision of God. Today’s reading from Exodus is the call of Moses. Moses’ conversion started with a change in his own vision. Thus far, he had thought of himself as an Egyptian. But the oppression, the sad plight of ordinary people changed his vision, him who was a Prince of Egypt. Though Moses had everything a person could desire, his experience of the pain and suffering of his people led him to the desert. After a time, Moses’ vision was purified every firther. It was then the Lord appeared to Moses. “I must go over to look at this remarkable sight, and see why the bush is not burned.” (Exodus 3:3)

Upon approaching the bush, God called out to Moses. Moses response was a complete act of trust. “Here I am.” (Ex 3:4c) God commissioned Moses to go back to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of slavery. Although, God asked Moses to do so, he knew it was no small task and therefore questioned the Lord. It took a little time but Moses was able to see the vision of God - a free and liberated people. Moses surrendered his vision to let it become one with God's vision.

In the Gospel for today, Jesus gives praise to God and teaches us about the way we envision both God and the world around us. What was hidden from “the wise and the learned” is revealed to those who are “childlike.” (Mt 12:25) If only we can see with the eyes of a child - that is very close to God's own vision.

So often our vision of the world is clouded by our experiences and our upbringings. In many ways, our vision causes us to look at God and the world in very narrow categories. Many see the world only as described by the media. These two worlds seem to have few points of intersection. The readings today challenge us to see God and our world, not naively, but yet with the eyes of a trusting child. Let us try to reflect on one area in our lives where we could let our vision be replaced with God's vision.

“Delightfully, Lord, you made us for yourself. Give us eyes like Moses and the saints, who saw the kind and merciful Lord that you are. Help us to look t the world, our relationships, our world with your eyes It is then that our hearts will no longer be restless, because they will be restless until they rest in You. Amen!”

-Michael Montgomery & Fr. Satish Joseph