“It was because the LORD loved you and because of his fidelity to the oath he had sworn your fathers, that he brought you out with his strong hand from the place of slavery, from the hand of pharaoh, King of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 7:8).
God hears the cry of the poor. He sends Moses to free his chosen people. Not because they are the best and brightest, the strongest or having the most potential. He is doing so because of his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the patriarchs. He is doing so because he loves his children, those enslaved, but also all of humanity and creation. The chosen people are chosen not so they can keep God all to themselves but so that they can reveal him to all peoples.
All that has been created has come to be out of the outpouring of his love. We and everything that is, exists because God willed and loved us into reality, to be loved and to love him and each other in return.
God still comes close today, he still hears the cry of the poor. The poor are each of us in the depths of our souls crying out to him. We who are thirsting and starving for his love and communion. The pharaohs today are not just those who overtly oppress others but the fallen aspects of each one of our egos that enslave our authentic and true selves.
God has sent another Moses to free us: “In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him” (I John 4:9).
Jesus comes close, he shines the light of love into our darkness, our sins, our traumas, our fears. He gently invites us to come into the light of his love, to be embraced, forgiven, and restored as the beloved children that we already are, but have forgotten.
Each day and moments during the day, remember that you are the beloved daughter or son of the creator of all that exists. He made you and formed you as an expression of his love. There has never nor will there ever be again someone like you. You are loved as you are right now as you are and you need do nothing but receive the love God offers to you.
Listen quietly for the beating of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and allow your heart to align in rhythm with his heart, such that Heart speaks to heart. Receiving the love of the Father through Jesus is the key to our freedom. No self-help program or three-point strategic plan needed (counseling does have its place and time). Just a simple, “Yes” to your loving God and Father, as Mary said, “May it be done to me according to your word.” As Jesus said, “Not my will but yours.” A simple slowing down and returning throughout the day and each day to an opening of your heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a good start. The Holy Spirit will take care of the rest so that you may experience life to the full!
Photo: On retreat at Marywood Retreat Center this past January
Spiritual Stepping Stones 