Friday, May 18, 2018
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 472 – Part I.
(Youcat
answer) From Moses we learn that “praying” means “speaking with God”. At the
burning bush God entered into a real conversation with Moses and gave him an
assignment. Moses raised objections and asked questions. Finally God revealed
to him his holy name. Just as Moses then came to trust God and enlisted
wholeheartedly in his service, so we too should pray and thus go to God’s
school.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC
2574) Once the promise
begins to be fulfilled (Passover, the Exodus, the gift of the Law, and the ratification
of the covenant), the prayer of Moses becomes the most striking example of
intercessory prayer, which will be fulfilled in "the one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 2:5).
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) The Bible mentions Moses’ name 767 times —
so central is he as the liberator and lawgiver of the people of Israel. At the
same time Moses was also a great intercessor for his people. In prayer he
received his commission; from prayer he drew his strength. Moses had an
intimate, personal relationship with God: “The Lord used to speak to Moses face
to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Ex 33:11a). Before Moses acted or
instructed the people, he withdrew to the mountain to pray. Thus he is the
original example of contemplative prayer.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC
2575) Here again the
initiative is God's. From the midst of the burning bush he calls Moses (Ex
3:1-10). This event will remain one of the primordial images of prayer in the
spiritual tradition of Jews and Christians alike. When "the God of
Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob" calls Moses to be his servant, it is
because he is the living God who wants men to live. God reveals himself in
order to save them, though he does not do this alone or despite them: he calls
Moses to be his messenger, an associate in his compassion, his work of
salvation. There is something of a divine plea in this mission, and only after
long debate does Moses attune his own will to that of the Savior God. But in
the dialogue in which God confides in him, Moses also learns how to pray: he
balks, makes excuses, above all questions: and it is in response to his
question that the Lord confides his ineffable name, which will be revealed
through his mighty deeds.
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