Word to the Wise
Thursday, July 16, 2015 - Thursday in the 15th Week in Ordinary Time
[Exod 3:13-20 and Matt 11:28-30]"When I go to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' if they ask me, 'What is his name? what am I to tell them?" God replied, "I am who am." Then he added, "This is what you shall tell the children of israel: I AM sent me to you."
God's revelation of God's own name is a significant moment. For the Hebrew folks (and for many of us even today) a person's name is the equivalent of the person! When God gave Adam the power to name all living creatures [Genesis 2:19] this was a significant grant because the name meant the creature. Indeed, when we hear someone's name, don't we think of the person. A name is more than a sound. In the case of God's name, once the first temple was built, the Hebrew word for God's name became so sacred that it was only uttered by the High Priest in the "Holy of Holies"sanctuary, and that only once a year! At this point in the story, we learn God's name and we learn how this name will be used to establish Moses' credentials. He has to convince the Children of Israel that he isn't just another fanatic. Then he has to convince the Egyptians to let them go! One can sympathize with his reluctance to take up the task.
God's call can be demanding. How dare anyone speak in God's name? One's own reluctance already becomes a barrier. Each of us who have been baptized have been given the authority to speak in Christ's name. I know, I know! It's not quite the same as the "official" designation by the church, but it is nevertheless a commissioning to be a "missionary disciple," as Pope Francis insists. Moses tried to argue that he was a poor public speaker. God said, "Your brother, Aaron, can be your spokesman." In short, God does expect us to go and announce the Good News. God knows it can be a tough sell. We have to rely on God's promise, "I will be with you!" and do what we can. AMEN
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