Exodus 32: 15-24. 30-34; Psalm 106; Matthew 13: 31-35
Exodus tells of the dramatic anger of Moses, breaking the tablets with God’s own writing, when he discovers that in his absence, the people are celebrating a golden calf.
His brother Aaron shirks responsibility, first saying in effect, “they made me do it” and then when he threw all the gold the people offered into the fire, “out came this calf.” Moses returns to the mountaintop to plead for God’s forgiveness. The psalmist describes the scene: “They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass.” The psalm continues: “Therefore God said he would destroy them, had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to turn away his wrath from destroying them.” This “standing in the breach” is often applied to Jesus, as mediator between God and ourselves.
First, ask the Spirit to show you when you may have exchanged the glory of God for something as silly as an ox that eats grass. What have been/are your idols? Many Catholics fear the wrath of God so much they turn to Mary, the refuge of sinners, to plead for them; others cling to Jesus to “stand in the breach.” And you? What do you know, from your own experience, of God’s anger? Back to the question, ever ancient, ever new: What is your image of God, who is God for you?
Clarify our understanding of you, dear Mystery. Help us to believe and live and pass on the good news that Jesus gave his life for: you are a God of mercy, and you will be faithful even when we are not.