God’s Initiative and Our Response

Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12; Matthew 11:25-27

Our readings today speak of revelation.  In our first reading, God reveals himself to Moses through a burning bush.  In our gospel reading, Jesus reminds us that revelation is not a matter of human intelligence.  It is a matter of God’s initiative and of our openness to God.  He uses the innocence and curiosity of children as an example.

God speaks to us in many ways:  in nature, in our experiences, in his word (the Bible), in the teachings and tradition of the Church, in the sacraments.  God also listens, sees and feels.  God saw the suffering of his people in Egypt and assured Moses that God would save and liberate them.  Jesus saw people suffering in many ways:  physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Just as his Father freed the people of Israel of their oppression in Egypt, Jesus freed those oppressed by the devil and all forms of illness. 

Jesus revealed the fullness of God’s love for us.  Jesus revealed the ways that we can be free.  We pray for the grace and the will to be open to that love and freedom.—jc