Random Thoughts - Exodus and Today’s Environment - A Perspective by a Lay Person – Part 1
In the past 2-3 months my thoughts go back to the story in Exodus (OT). I would imagine that most people have seen the movie, The Ten Commandments (1956). One of the best movies made as far as I am concerned. Next is “The Greatest Story Ever Told” from 1965.
In Exodus, after Moses leads the Hebrews across the Red Sea toward the promised land, they trekked across the desert. Remember when Moses went up the mountain to talk to God? He was up at the top of that mountain for an extremely long time. People became concerned, then fearful and finally, angry. Anger brought on by fear of what would happen to them. They were led away from Roman captivity where they at least had some shelter and food even if it was as slaves.
Moses had shown them through signs that God had spoken through him and promised to lead them to a new land where they would have freedom from slavery and to a land “flowing of milk and honey.” They believed God was finally fulfilling his promise to lead them to freedom. They willingly followed Moses with renewed faith and hope.
But when Moses did not return as soon as they believed he should, doubt and fear overtook them.
In the caravan out of Egypt were agitators. When they saw the people become troubled and fearful, they rushed to use the fear to convince them Moses was not chosen by God. It was not that difficult. These agitators, though the minority, were the loudest. It was not long before the Hebrews thought Moses led them to their death.
They were convinced that they needed a golden calf to worship and so they built one.
They were led to sin (again) against God because of their impatience, intolerance, and distrust. They lost their faith and hope because of fear.
I think about where we are today, in this country, with so many people who have decided to see Trump as someone who has been chosen by God to be president. They have said in the past (on social media) that God chooses the president. However, this usually only applies if it’s a Republican or someone willing to say they will defend Republican policies.
Many, if not most, Evangelicals have even gone so far as calling Trump the “anointed one,” “savior” and/or the “Messiah.” Personally, I find this blasphemous.
The idea that certain stories and verses from the Bible should be used to justify a political view is ridiculous. Believers of both political parties and religious people of different faiths can use both stories and verses to confirm their views. The question is are these views “inspired” by God or from a solely human desire.
God does not “choose” a president or any political leader just as he doesn’t choose a religious leader. Individuals, with human flaws, choose leaders (in democratic countries). This includes the Pope. As a Catholic, my belief is that during the Conclave prayers, meditation, and conversations are included as they select for a new Pope. We, outside the conclave, can only pray that those making the decision allow the Holy Spirit to inspire them. But, again, I always remember these are individuals with human flaws and on occasion, power and/or greed may overcome the majority and end up ignoring the Holy Spirit. Look at the history of the Church to see where in history this has proven true.
Please, having said all this, do not abandon your faith. That is not the purpose of this writing. It is to, hopefully, give you something to think about and hopefully grow and solidify your faith.
For me, as a Catholic, I have had my faith from early childhood. It is based on personal experience with God’s graces, a family from different faiths who remained strong in their faith even when not a Catholic faith, and often lived out their faith in words and action.
I am especially grateful for the priests from my parish. From the age of 12, my mother let me spent time at the Rectory helping in very small ways. The priests there were kind and were willing to answer my questions, without making me feel silly for the simpleness of the questions.
I remember very clearly a certain priest, who affected my decision to learn more about religion and theology. There were a couple of times when I really pushed his buttons with my questions. But he continued to “serve” me, a parishioner, by answering my questions.
I have always said I came from a progressive church. I’m sure most people (at least since 2015) have assumed it was a political term. It never was. I used it as a term of how the Church served it’s members back in the 1960s/1970s/1980s by becoming more inclusive.
The 1960s brought in a more significant focus on serving the community as a whole and not just as a religious group. In the late 1970s, at St. James Church in New York City, we had a community meeting on how to help the low-income community with children in school. It was not limited to just Catholics. It was open to all members of the community. Many of these children did not speak English and we were trying to figure out a way to help them. Most of these parents worked long hours and then had to go home and cook and clean. Many of them did not know English or enough English to help their child/ren with the homework. It was, and still is today, a difficult situation for many. You see, not every one of them depended on welfare (known as Human Resources benefits at first) for their needs.
I digress, apologies.
It had become my habit to follow what I was taught as a Catholic. As I grew older, I became quite cynical of the Church leaders in the USA. I learned about the scandalous behavior of some priests and how some pastors, and bishops were willing to “hide” these incidents. I distanced myself in certain ways from the Church by not being an “active” member. I went to mass, usually every weekday morning before work and Sunday. But I did not trust them and what they said as, as far as I could surmise, they did not really practice what they preached.
I focused on the Bible. I read the Beatitudes consistently so I can use them as a guide for me to support my faith and my behavior. I read the New Testament using a Bible that had Jesus’ words in red. This way I could focus on His words.
Today, as I have physical limitations, I more often than not watch the Mass daily on YouTube when I don’t attend in person. I pray, meditate, and listen to reflections. I read articles by pastors, theologians, and other people of faith. I even read articles and posts by non-believers. I am curious about how people think, what they believe, and why. Learning different perspectives has been a blessing to me. It has only strengthened my faith in God.
May I suggest that some time be taken to reflect if your responses, whether in words or actions come from a true faith in God’s word, Jesus’ teaching or a myopic view provided by others. Being open-minded allows one to include critical thinking and discernment in the thought process.
Have a blessed day.
Comments
Post a Comment