Tuesday, August 2, 2011

jealous

Numbers 12:1-13; Psalm 51 BE merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned; Matthew 14:22-36

"Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses on the pretext of the marriage he had contracted with a Cushite woman. They complained, "Is it through Moses alone that the Lord speaks? Does he not speak through us also?"

Interesting to note that Moses' family became jealous of Moses. Perhaps they were upset that when Moses called the elders to share in the burden of tending and guiding the people, Miriam and Araon themselves were not included.

PErhaps they presumed because they were so close to Moses they would be the obvious choice for the job. PErhaps they were beginning to despise Moses because of the attention he was getting. It seemed they were seeking their self in love. IT seemed they were wanting to make it about them rather than about God's call.

In their jealousy, they spoke against Moses, the one God had chosen to lead his people. Speaking against Moses, the one God had chosen, was speaking against God himself who had chosen and called Moses forth.

Their issue wasn't with Moses but rather with God.

Hear the words of God as he speaks to Aaron and Miriam, "Why, then did you not fear to speak against my servant Moses?"


How often do we get caught up in complaining against the people God has chosen to lead his people? How easy is it to see the man or woman that stands before us and fail to recognize the one who called them forth?

IT happens to all of us. This reading invites us to remember that God is the one who calls. God is the one who equips.
When we speak against the person we also speak against the God who calls.

Now this is not to say we can't be critical but we must be critical in a way that builds up and encourages, thus allowing the one called to truly become empowered to lead and to guide.

Now, obviously not all people are called by God. There are some impostors out there. We must search diligently and test continually to discern the difference between who God had called and who simply chose to do their own thing. Lord, knows when it comes to "ministers" especially , every Tom, Dick, and Harry think they have the right and calling to preach and guide.

Many of whom simply got their ministerial license from the internet. Not all who say they have the calling are called. Be careful. Be discerning. Be gentle.

Examine yourself today. Check any jealous bones. Make sure your words are warm and tender to day, we may have to eat them tomorrow. Miriam and Aaron found out the hard way.

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Tuesday: meditation based on St. Peter Julian Eymard Eucharistic life and going before the Tabernacle to make a Holy hour

Who Is There?

He who is there is the same Jesus who in the Garden of Olives, seeing in advance each one of us, wept for our miseries and suffered for our sins. The God who carrying his Cross, thought of us, and who suffered and died for each one of us.

Why Is Jesus There?

Jesus is there that we may find him who is our help in dangers and temptations. He is there to lift us after we have fallen, to offer us his love, and the courage we need.

What Does Jesus Do In The Host?

Let us remember that for each one of us and at each moment, by his abasement Jesus in the Host offers reparation to the Divine Majesty, for the revolts of our pride by his poverty, for our want of detachment and by his privations for our impatience, our indifference, and our daily faults.

What Does Jesus In The Host Wish?

He wishes that we should go to him like the sick in Judea and show him our soul and all its miseries. That we should abandon ourselves to him, and come and purify ourselves, in the Holy Sacrifice, strengthening ourselves at the Holy Table.

Of What Does Jesus In The Host Remind Us?

He reminds us that our hearts, made for God can have no satisfaction except in him, that we shall be restless until we find him, that he is in the Tabernacle to answer to this need of our hearts, to give himself to us and to bring us peace.

What Does Jesus In The Host Teach Us?

To remember that if he chose to be despised and humiliated, it was to teach us that we are wrong when we seek, above all else, the approbation of man. That what we call honor and respect are of no value before him: all that is needful is to love and serve him.

What Does Jesus In The Host Ask Of Us?

Let us not forget that Jesus accepts the abasement of his Host, the decay of his Temples and the want of care and respect on the part of those who surround him, that we may learn to imitate him by depriving ourselves of unnecessary things, and if he desires it, to accept even the privation of things necessary.

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