Every reading of the Bible offers an opportunity for God to communicate with us.
In today’s blog article, we examine God’s direct speech to Moses, the psalmist’s proclamation of God’s concern for the oppressed, and Jesus’s instruction to change our thinking about God’s work in the world.
Let us pray through these passages and seek God’s guidance for our day.
Today’s Lectionary Reading: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032325-YearC.cfm.
Reading I – Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15
In the burning bush experience, God revealed His name, nature, and purpose to Moses.
This revelation came after God heard the cries of the Hebrews, who had been enslaved in Egypt for four centuries.
Notice how God said “I have come down to deliver,” but he also said, “I am sending you to bring my people out.”
He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters.
Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land. . .”
Now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:6-8a, 10).
Henry Blackaby taught that God’s voice isn’t intended to produce fleeting feelings of warmth. Rather, God speaks to call us into action, inviting us to join Him in His ongoing work in the world.
We can rejoice in God’s promise to encounter us. In these encounters, He gives us the privilege of joining Him in His activity in the world.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11
A man from a church I served as a young pastor was a big game hunter who had made many trips to Africa. He told me, “Bob, you shouldn’t go to Africa; what you’d see would break your heart.” I believe he was accurate in his assessment.
The images and stories I encounter in the news and media regarding the suffering in Africa, the Middle East, Ukraine, and South America deeply affect me.
However, this Psalm offers a powerful comfort: God will ultimately bring justice to those who have been oppressed.
The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Psalm 103:6-8)
Reading II – 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12
Take a moment to imagine someone enduring difficult circumstances in South America, Sudan, the Middle East, or Ukraine.
With that person’s situation in your heart, please join me in using this verse from 1 Corinthians as a prayer, asking God for their support.
No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone.
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Verse Before the Gospel – Matthew 4:17
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17)
Gospel – Luke 13:1-9
People asked Jesus why terrible things happened to those who seemed innocent. It’s a question we still ask. What was Jesus’s answer? While we pray for others, we also need to repent ourselves.
“Unless you repent you will all perish just as they did” (Luke 13:5).
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed when Jacob secretly left Laban and was caught by him on the way to Canaan.
Real Voices 