One of the great Bible stories is the Exodus, which has been the first reading at Mass this week. Today's excerpt (Exodus 14:21; 15:1) was one that gave me mixed emotions, as I'm sure you have experienced too! So we ask ourselves, "Is God so cruel, that He would kill all those people by drowning them?" as I heard one preacher ask. But aren't we looking at this from our side and not God's. Didn't God send Moses to warn the Egyptians to "let His people go?" He warned them with Signs and plagues and even the death of their "First Born", but they were a stiff-necked race who worshiped false gods and would not listen.
What about us? Are we listening to the prophets that God is sending to warn us that if we don't repent and convert, our sins will destroy us! God's Laws are being trampled on and over-turned! Respect for life has become a scandal as abortions are increasing daily and euthanasia is slowly creeping in to hospital care. Just today I read where a man was allowed to die of liver disease because he was an alcoholic and they would not give him a transplant! Who's next? Me with my diabetes or my wife with renal failure? Will they stop giving us life-saving treatment cause we are poor or elderly?
Getting back to the Exodus story, yes it's violent but it's also a love story. God loves His people (us too) so much that He will do anything to protect His chosen ones, the predestined, the followers of Christ. He loves us like a mother bear who lashes out at anyone who would harm her cubs. He will certainly protect us from Satan's wrath and hatred of the human race. Here is what the Lord said in Luke 18: “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
Now the final question is "Do we love God as fiercely and with such intensity as He loves us?" Jesus loved the Father so much that He was obedient even unto death. The Saints and Martyrs loved God by imitating Jesus and giving their lives up for Him. Are we ready? Will we be among the Saints or the apostates? Times are changing. Be ready as the bridesmaids with the lamps full of oil so that when Christ returns (soon) we will be ready to open the door for Him.
"May the Lord grant all your prayers!" (Psalm 20)
Deacon John
http://www.google.com/profiles/deaconjohn1987
Sent from Mt Dora, Florida, United States
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