15th Week, Ordinary Time, Monday, July 12
Exodus 1:8-14, 22 / Matthew 10:34 - 11:1
Joseph is forgotten; The Israelites became slaves.
The Egyptian site of Tanis has been identified, almost beyond doubt, as the site of the city of Rameses, mentioned in today's reading. Likewise, a stone carving of Rameses Il confirms the report of how this city was built. It reads: "He built the city of Rameses with Asiatic Semitic slaves."
Finally, the University Museum has on display an ancient Egyptian tomb painting showing slaves hard at work making bricks. In his novel Moses, Shalom Asch described the plight of Hebrew slaves this way: "Their bodies . , wetted by the sweat of anguish and labor, glistened like copper. Their faces were dumb and careworn They did their work in dull silence . . . under the threat of whips."
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How much do we value our own freedom? Lord, help us use our religious freedom to spread the good news of your word.
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The first book of Moses gave us the history of certain men and families that were of importance in God's dealing with men. From the second book of Moses, the Exodus, it is only Israel the whole nation, that is the theme. Two events are standing out - the exodus and the covenant at Mount Sinai. Not to tell his story but to explain the basis of religion is the theme. These two events are the basis of the religion of Israel. The main figure is Moses. In the four hundred and thirty years that the descendants of Jacob had lived in Egypt, they had become a big people. So big that they were a danger to their host country. "The new king who knew nothing of Joseph" is probably Seti I who ruled from 1318 to 1299 B.C. He was so alarmed by the increase of the Hebrews that he took the most illogical steps. He commanded: "Throw all the boys born of the Hebrews into the river, but let the girls live" (verse 22). The value to him would have been the workforce of the foreign slaves: a decision made in panic.
Whenever and wherever there are oppression and persecutions, as well as violence and wars, it would be necessary to look at how it all started. Of course there are many reasons for such injustice and even bloodshed, besides the finger-pointing and blaming of every involved party. But at the root of it all, are two factors that are always present - insecurity and intolerance. That can be seen in the 1st reading, the Pharaoh was disturbed about the Israelites becoming so numerous and strong. He was actually disturbed by his own insecurity and that developed into an intolerance against the Israelites. So the solution was to oppress them with hard labour and then slavery. Then finally came the persecution - to kill all the baby boys born of the Hebrew women by throwing them into the river. So it happened during the Pharaoh's time; it had happened in the past, and it is still happening. It had happened and is still happening to nations, to countries, to societies, to communities, to families, to individuals. And lurking behind the insecurity and intolerance is fear - fear of the other or others. The way to overcome the fear is to heed the teaching of Jesus to take up our cross and follow in His footsteps. Because the truth is in what Jesus said: Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for My sake will find it. When we understand this teaching and follow it, then our fear will turn into freedom.
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When Jesus instructed the twelve, he knew that ten of them would lay down their life for him. He is very open and honest with them. He does not hide anything. He promises them the sword, warfare, not peace. Even what they value most dearly, their closest relatives, they may have to give up. Even more than that they may have to choose the cross. Jesus does not refer here to his own cross. The men standing before him how what he means. Varus had 2,000 Galileans crucified to quell a revolt not many years before this. Following in his footsteps, is to be a man of a courageous decision, whatever the cost. If he and the twelve are taken by the Romans to be revolutionaries. There will be a revolution that is what they have to expect. Being an apostle also has its rewards. Who receives them receives him. Lovingly, he calls his apostles "little ones”.
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Christ could bring us life and grace because he suffered for us. He could rise because he was crucified and died on a cross. No easy life is promised to his disciples. Suffering, the cross are their share too. In God’s plan, this is the way to life. It’s not too comfortable, but these are God’s terms.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God, we have accepted your invitation to follow your Son Jesus as his disciples. Let your Spirit give us the wisdom and strength to take our faith seriously and to accept our task in life with all its consequences. Let your Spirit help us to follow your Son without fear or discouragement, for we are certain that Jesus will lead us to you, our loving God, for ever and ever. Amen
