Readings: Exodus 32:7-14, Ps. 106:19-23, John 5:31-47
“Go down; for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.” (Exodus 32:7)
In today’s First Reading, the children of Israel, having lived among the Egyptians for more than four hundred years and having become accustomed to serving idols, pressured Aaron to make a golden calf. By so doing, they rejected God who saved them from the Egyptians. Even when God, in the person of Jesus Christ, took human flesh to make Himself visible, He was not only rejected by the people, but He was also crucified. What do we learn from today’s readings?
1. Learn to be Patient with God: Do you think God is dead or asleep? We live in a fast-paced world; we rush from morning to night. We even unconsciously give God deadlines when we pray. Like the Israelites, who thought Moses was dead, we are too quick to conclude that God is incapable of granting our requests. This leads to the creation of golden calves of various sorts.
2. Leadership is not about Giving People What They Want; it is about giving them what they need. Aaron gave in to pressure, knowing fully well he was sinning against God. As a leader, you must nourish your people and ensure they eat a healthy diet. Just as no mother would give her child a dangerous object because they are crying for it, leadership requires discernment.
3. Whatever Takes God’s Place is an Idol: We may point fingers at the Israelites, but we only need to look carefully to see the golden calves we have erected around us. Those things you don’t need and you cannot give them out (use them to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, etc.) are your idols. Seeing these things may give you joy, but they cannot save you.
4. Your Body is God’s Temple: As a stamp of their rejection of God, the people of Israel got up to engage in bodily corruption. Like the Israelites who partook in orgies to celebrate the golden calf, many reject God by saying God has no say with what they do with their bodies. Your body doesn’t belong to you; it is for God. Your body is His temple.
5. Like Moses, Always Pray for Sinners: One of the spiritual works of mercy is praying for sinners. This is what Moses did for the people. Do not wish anyone death; the judgment you give is the judgment you receive. Praying for sinners is powerful because not only does it remind you of your sinfulness, but it is also capable of changing God’s plan.
6. Jesus is God: Addressing the Jews, Jesus tells them that by their failure to recognise him as God, they only proved their ignorance of God. Jesus reminded them of John the Baptist's witness and how he pointed him out as the Lamb of God. Jesus also mentions other witnesses, such as the works (miracles) he did, the scriptures, and Moses. Do we still need signs to believe Jesus is God?
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, do not let us be carried away by the multitude who have rejected you. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of the 4th week of Lent, Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: Exodus 32:7-14, Ps. 106:19-23, John 5:31-47).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu