Comments on: Thursday, 3/15/18 – Love in the Concrete

By: Mark Misencik

Mark Misencik — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 13:17:54 +0000

Hey Mary,

It’s all about human nature.

You have to remember the time frame. The Israelites that just crossed the Red Sea were born and raised in Egypt, with Egyptian customs all around, they have assimilated. And this wasn’t the first generation. Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Joseph are all but memories that, for the sake of arguing, are anywhere from 430 to 150 years old. In other words, what these Israelites knew and lived was pretty much Egyptian. You can take the Israelite out of Egypt, but you can’t take Egypt out of the Israelite. With this in mind, take the Israelites and put them in an unfamiliar environment and, how about this, let’s take away their leader. It’s no wonder they did what they did, that’s all they know.

Now fast forward about 1400 years to the time of Christ. The Pharisees, which weren’t around in the time of Moses, only knew what they have been taught, the Torah. Israel is waiting for a King like David, now along comes this son of a carpenter spouting off that He is the Son of God. Doing things that on the surface seem to contradict the Torah. On top of that, He’s exposing you for what you really are, hypocrites. What would you do if you were a Pharisee?

Moses and Jesus may have been unhappy with how Israel was acting without the presence of a leader, but they shouldn’t have been surprised. I would just chalk it up to human nature.

Now for how to treat a stubborn or rebellious son, read Dt 21:18-21.

Mark

By: Maureen

Maureen — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 12:57:39 +0000

Magnificent! And to Laura, Amen. God bless you, Mary!

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 12:16:08 +0000

My favorite part is when Moses stands ‘in the gap’ for the disobedient and ungrateful Israelites. And when he interceded on their behalf, even when they turned away from God-about as far away as they could get! It’s beautiful to think about God’s mercy is always present to us, even when we act the same way. We are called to do the same-stand in the gap, intercede for others who don’t know God, to plead on their behalf. I saw Jesus speaking to the Jews as an act of mercy. Speaking unpopular truths can and does cause retaliation, but who knows how many Jews in that crowd changed their thinking and repented. Thank you for that thought-provoking reflection!

By: Baker

Baker — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 11:26:44 +0000

Analogies are rarely perfect – did the psychologist actually instruct the child not to leave his prints in the cement? He sent him off into the zoo. God actually commanded the Hebrews to worship only Him. I look forward to these reflection every day,

By: Teresa Minj

Teresa Minj — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 11:14:06 +0000

Thank you Mary for the beautiful reflection. It is indeed touching.

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 07:55:47 +0000

It is certainly a struggle to practice what we profess to believe. I have worked in mental health outpatient setting for years and often find delivering compassionate care with love and understanding gets side tracked by frustrating circumstances. It is comforting for me to see the frustrated side of Jesus as well in this scripture.

By: Uchenna Uju

Uchenna Uju — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 07:22:12 +0000

Thank you so much Mary. As usual,your reflections always keep me in a deeply contemplative mood. Thank you for being a vessel to throw more light on daily readings.God bless you.

By: Mary Ortwein

Mary Ortwein — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 01:03:43 +0000

Joe,

I think you are correct: this reflection doesn’t have a point like usual. Thank you for that feedback. I’m going to use the edit function and add a conclusion at the end of the reflection instead of in the comments. I LOVE careful, thinking readers!
Mary Ortwein