OBSTINATE

Ex 11:10-12:14; Ps 116 I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the lord; Matt 12:1-8

Here are a few words from the first reading for us to meditate on, "the LORD made Pharaoh obstinate, and he would not let the children of Israel leave his land."


The LORD made Pharaoh obstinate.

This has been a line of scripture that has stuck in people's craw over and over again.  It is hard to imagine God making someone obstinate against him.

Here is a question for us:  When have we been obstinate against God?  When have we've been stubborn and put up resistance to the movement of grace in our life?

It is a common theme that runs through every human heart.

In fact, the Eucharist we celebrate brings to mind humanity's resistance and stubbornness against God.  For it was that resistance and stubbornness that brought forth the crucifixion, which brought the Eucharist, the source and summit of the christian life.

How often does God take our resistance, our refusal, our desire to but heads and flip it into grace, mercy, and transformation?

Is this not what he does with the experience with Egypt and Pharaoh!

Be attentive today of your own resistance and stubbornness; there in lies a hidden opportunity of grace.