"MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on Exodus 32: 4-6: The Golden Calf
"So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He received their offering, and fashioning it with a tool, made a molten calf. Then they cried out, "These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt." On seeing this, Aaron built an altar in front of the calf and proclaimed, "Tomorrow is a feast of the LORD. Early the next day the people sacrificed burnt offerings and brought communion sacrifices. Then they sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel." [Please read Exodus 32: 1-35 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection; ask for shame and confusion because of the many grievous sins I have committed (#48), and for a growing and intense sorrow and tears for my sins (#55). Use the Method of Meditation.
This incident of Israel's apostasy is shocking in its total disregard of God, given that they have experienced all the benefits and blessings of being in covenant with their LORD through the Exodus event! It displays the deplorable evil of sin, where one's self-interests are chosen at the expense of God. What is equally disturbing is that Aaron aids and abets this rebellion against God. The silver lining to this very, very dark cloud is Moses' intercession for God's people: "Turn from your burning wrath; change your mind about punishing your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.'" So the LORD changed his mind about the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people" (verses 12-14). An important aspect of covenant relationship is that God takes our opinion very seriously and is willing to "change" His mind, as He did with Moses."
I see my own self interests that gets in the way of God's truth and covenant living. I see Moses covenant relationship not only with God but with God's people in accepting their punishment upon himself, done in an effort to save them. Exodus 32:31-32 Are we willing to sacrifice ourselves for others?
What is God saying to you? Covenant relationship will require sacrifice on your part, it will also be required to give of yourself. You see how your own self interests can erode a covenant relationship. You allow these things to happen and permit them.
Dear Father, life is such a great teacher if we do not listen to you intently and put Your words into Godly action. You hear our prayers and answer them in ways that we can not comprehend. I thank You for leading us to truth and the way for there is only one that brings about eternal salvation. Prayers for this day and this morning. Prayers for a friend dealing with cancer, bring about healing in her life and a long life so others can come to know what You are teaching. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Seat of Wisdom, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Head of the Holy Family, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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