“I AM WHO I AM"

Today's Mass Readings

What is God’s name? Abraham did not ask that question; Isaac did not ask that question and Jacob did not ask that question. Moses dared to ask that question, though not for his own sake but only to get the mission entrusted to him some credibility. God’s answer to him was evasive, “I am who I am.”

The inability to name God should be interpreted as God’s arrogance, but rather, God’s awesomeness. Human beings are creatures; God is Creator. There is a huge difference between the two. The Israelites realized that. They called God “Yahweh,” originally YHWH (the absence of any vowels symbolize the fact that God’s name is unpronounceable. Yahweh is a word play on the Hebrew equivalent of “I am who I am.” Translated into English it could mean “to be” or “he causes to be, ” in other words, eternal. Let us reflect on two things for today. First, it is my opinion that people today have lost a sense of the sacred. Even churches and holy places have turned to be street corners – a time to catch up with friends and socialize. When God asks Moses to remove his sandals, it meant that this place is like no other. Reverence – that is the key. Also, God’s unpronounceable name means that we must never lose the sense of awe when it come to God. Second, even though God is awesome, God chose to dwell among us. This shows the God’s magnanimity, his grace, his love for each of us. God does not need us yet he makes his home with us. We need God, so God comes to us. No wonder Jesus says in the gospel reading, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

The next time you go to Church make it a point to go the tabernacle. Be aware that you are only "holy ground." Even take off your shoes it that helps; and like Moses spend time in honest conversation with God. May be, even today we can make a visit to the blessed sacrament and just “be” in God’s presence. The sense of sacred, reverence, awe… reflect on these things.