Wednesday 15th July – Memorial of St Bonaventure, Bishop & Doctor

PREPARED FOR A MISSION

Exodus 3: 1-6, 9-12

None of us is here on earth by accident; we are all creatures of purpose (Jeremiah 1: 5; Isaiah 49:1). No matter the circumstances of our birth or difficulty surrounding our lives we can take consolation in the abiding truth that the Almighty God willed our being. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 13-16), created to show forth the praise of God on earth (1 Peter 2: 9). Despite the good purpose of God for us all, we however cannot fully attain this except we walk with Him in absolute dependence – this demands great humility, faith and obedience.

We can readily see the above play out in the life of Moses. Baby Moses had it rough, Pharaoh was after the life of Hebrew male babies born around His birth (Exodus 1: 15-22). His mother had to hide him for three months ( Exodus 2:1) before God in His amazing plan eventually had him to be raised by the daughter of the very Pharaoh who was after His life ( Exodus 2: 3-10). Having received the best education of his time (Act 7: 22) and raised on royal privileges, Moses considered himself fit and ready to liberate his people. In defence of a Hebrew, he murdered an Egyptian (Exodus 2: 11-15). This made him a fugitive for the next forty years (Acts 7: 23-30). Having lost His royal privileges, he had to live with and work for his father in-law. I consider this a pruning time for Moses during which God worked on him to refine him for his primary assignment in life. He was so pruned that the scripture later referred to him as the meekest man on earth (Number 12:3)!

Beloved in Christ, take a look at the heroes of our faith (Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Elijah, Peter etc.), you see the trend of God working on each of them to refine them for his glorious use. Dear friend, what is the circumstance of your birth or background? Are you going through the pruning process and it appears God is cutting off you all forms of support other than Himself? Are there habits or character flaws God is correcting in you through the situations He has been taking you through lately? Let us fully yield ourselves to Him. Until we die to self, we cannot truly live for God (John 12: 24-26). He gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud (James 4:6).

PRAYER: Father, I acknowledge my nothingness without you. Please prune me; cut away from me all that you do not want in me. Help me to cooperate with your grace that I may live out your primary purpose for my life.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 2847 – The Holy Spirit makes us discern between trials, which are necessary for the growth of the inner man, and temptation, which leads to sin and death. We must also discern between being tempted, and consenting to temptation.

HIDE A TREASURE: “My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for temptation” Sirach 2:1 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Exodus 3: 1-6, 9-12; Psalm 103:1-4, 6-7; Matthew 11:25-27