Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Moses had a tough job. As others have said, it may have only taken 40 days to get the nation of Israel out of Egypt, but it took 40 years to get Egypt out of the Israelites. In today’s reading, we hear how Moses goes about re-writing the words of the covenant and the Ten Commandments on stone tablets. This is after he smashed the first set of tablets in a fit of rage because the people went back to worshiping golden statues AFTER seeing God’s mighty deliverance.
God’s generous presence mediates our continuing conversion. The Lord forgives, but does not declare us guiltless. This simple truth is important to remember when we do the work of maintaining and reconciling relationships. The positive (or, ‘thou shalt’) commandments are the most frequently broken. God wants us to take a day off to rest every week, but we refuse. We promise to love and honor our spouse, but there are days and seasons when we don’t live up to the vow, because we do not show them the promised love and honor. In families, friendships, and even the relationships between the faithful and church leadership, it is easy important to remember that we have fallen short, but that it’s worth it to try and come back together. We need to forgive without absolving of guilt. We need to be truly present to one-another, without distractions. We need to speak courageously and honestly to one another, so that we can have empathy for the other.
It is difficult to repair relationships, and sometimes more difficult when explicit agreements, commitments, or vows have been broken. God has modeled this behavior for us. What guidance do you need from our Lord today? Who in your life needs reconciliation with you, with others, or with God? Today, let’s bring them in prayer to our generous God. May the Spirit bless our reconciliation.
-Chris Nieport