Homily for Tuesday
Week 17 of Ordinary Time
July 27, 2021
Ex 33: 7-11; 34: 5-9, 28
Christian Brothers, St.
Joseph’s Home, New Rochelle, N.Y.
“As
Moses entered the tent, the column of cloud would come down and stand at its
entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses” (Ex 33: 9).
We’re told that this meeting tent was pitched outside the Israelites’ camp; earlier in the chapter we understand that the Lord is angry with Israel because of their sins, and so he doesn’t dwell in their midst but aside.
Yet
he continues to travel with them and guide them, particularly because Moses
intercedes. In fact, Moses enjoys a
unique, personal relationship with the Lord, addressing him by his personal
name, YHWH, and speaking with him face to face (33:11; 34:5).
The
relationship between the Lord and Israel, the relationship between the Lord and
Moses, has been altered. Altho humanity
remains sinful, God now dwells in our midst thru the humanity of his Son: incarnate, suffering with us, risen from the
grave, accompanying on our life’s journey anyone who desires his company. He’s not “at some distance away, outside the
camp” (33:7) but alongside us—and of course we Catholics can say even
more: he comes to us in the Eucharist.
In
Jesus Christ we may see and hear and speak to God by name just as Moses did,
and enjoy a most intimate relationship with God, a God who loves sinners and
has chosen to be with us.
Like
Moses, too, we may—and ought to—intercede for our fellow journeyers, for all of
mankind: “Receive us as your own”
(34:9).
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