Saturday, May 19, 2018
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 472 – Part II.
(Youcat
answer - repeated) 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
2576) "Thus the
Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend"
(Ex 33:11). Moses' prayer is characteristic of contemplative prayer by which
God's servant remains faithful to his mission. Moses converses with God often
and at length, climbing the mountain to hear and entreat him and coming down to
the people to repeat the words of his God for their guidance. Moses "is
entrusted with all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly, not in
riddles," for "Moses was very humble, more so than anyone else on the
face of the earth" (Num 12:3,7-8).
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
2577) From this intimacy
with the faithful God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Cf. Ex
34:6), Moses drew strength and determination for his intercession. He does not
pray for himself but for the people whom God made his own. Moses already
intercedes for them during the battle with the Amalekites and prays to obtain
healing for Miriam (Cf. Ex 17:8-12; Num 12:13-14). But it is chiefly after
their apostasy that Moses "stands in the breach" before God in order
to save the people (Ps 106:23; cf. Ex 32:1-34:9). The arguments of his prayer -
for intercession is also a mysterious battle - will inspire the boldness of the
great intercessors among the Jewish people and in the Church: God is love; he
is therefore righteous and faithful; he cannot contradict himself; he must remember
his marvellous deeds, since his glory is at stake, and he cannot forsake this
people that bears his name.
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