Tuesday, July 13, 2021

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 Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

(Exodus 2:1-15a; Matthew 11:20-24)

The Book of Exodus might be called “the Book of Moses.”  He is the book’s central human figure.  Moses is not only a bigger-than-life personality; he is also a charismatic leader.  Today’s first reading indicates the sources of his leadership basic qualities.

It might be said that Moses has leadership in his genes.  He is the physical son of an unnamed Levite man and woman.  Levi was one of two brothers who led the ten others to take revenge on the Shechemites for raping their sister Dinah.  But Moses was not foremost a violent man.  He was raised by his stepmother, Pharoah’s daughter, who took compassion on the baby whom she found in the river.  She knew that he was one of the Hebrew children condemned by her father.  Moses possessed, as well, a sense of justice and an inclination to act on it.  When he saw the Egyptian overlord abuse the Hebrew worker, he responded carefully and decisively.  He was also inclined to find out the truth of a situation.  Finding two Hebrews fighting, he investigated by asking questions.

Moses might write on his CV that he came from ordinary but strong stock, that he possessed both compassion and justice, and that he acted after ascertaining the truth.  It is no wonder then why God chose and formed him to lead His people.  We should see in him a prototype for Christ.  Moses was a man worthy of teaching us God’s Law, that is His gracious will for us.

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