Sunday’s Readings: Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15, Psalm 103, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12, and Luke 13:1-9
Burning bushes and fig trees make for an interesting pairing. I’ve been reflecting on all three readings all day and listening to others, like Fr. Fred, my parish priest and Bishop Robert Barron on Word on Fire and they’ve given me much to ponder. I figure my job is just to share what I’m learning and hopefully it makes us all think a little deeper.
Let’s start with Moses and the burning bush. When I hear this story, I’m always amazed at the thought that God spoke to Moses and showed His power in that bush that burned but didn’t burn up. Amazing.
But, have you ever pondered the fact that God calls him to take off his sandals? I always just took it for granted that this ground was holy and the shoes needed to come off. Never thought much more about that, except, that I kind of like how God thinks. I’m not a huge shoe fan and would much prefer to be barefoot, holy ground or not.
But, Bishop Barron made me consider this. Moses grew up in the house of Pharaoh and had a gained a bit of swagger. He boldly goes up to this phenomenon to see what is going on and God stops him and tells him to take off his sandals. How much harder is it to walk on rocky ground without shoes? This one request now has a different look. It is like He says, “Slow down, Moses. This is bit beyond you.”
In my life, if God is calling me to take off my shoes, it suddenly slows me down and makes me more aware of my surroundings. So, cool. No more rushing in. Time to slow down and realize what’s going on around me.
Here’s the next thing. In approaching this burning bush, Moses learns who God is. He sees power displayed, hears His voice, and learns His name. What an amazing experience that must have been. I need a whole lot more time to pray over this and unpack it, but don’t we all want to know God better? I know I do.
Do you also see that in learning who God is, Moses also learns more about himself? He has been called. He is to be God’s voice to the people and help them to be free of the slavery in which they are bound.
Can we approach God and learn who He is? Can we learn more about ourselves by coming closer to the Fire of the Holy Spirit? I think so. In fact, I think that’s part of this lesson.
But, just as Moses was humbled by the Lord in this encounter, he was also strengthened to go forth and do God’s will. He learned that God would be with him each step of the way. Though, he would have to remember humility.
In 1 Corinthians 10:12, it says. “Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.”
We need to remember that. We can become over confident and forget that if we don’t stay connected to the fire of the Spirit in our hearts, we will fail. Only by staying united with Him will we accomplish the mission for which we are called.
Which brings me to the Gospel. (Luke 13:1-9) We find here a fig tree that is bearing no fruit. For three years, nothing. And the owner is ready to cut it down. But, the gardener asks for one more year. One more year to cultivate and fertilize the tree, to give it another chance.
If we become over confident and try to do everything on our own, or even worse, become lukewarm and don’t even try, we can become like that barren fig tree. How much better would it be to continue to cultivate and care for that Spirit within us?
Because here’s the beauty of this. When we are on fire for the Lord, grounded and consumed by Him, we will burn brightly. We will bear fruit for the Lord by our witness.
Just like the bush, that though it burned, was not destroyed, we will not lose our true selves in the process. He can consume us, purify us, and enlighten our lives, but we will retain all that makes us the unique child of God He created us to be, with our own mission that only we can fulfill.
Something to ponder. What do you think?
XOXO,
Barb
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