15th Week, Monday, July 17
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."
***
How much do we value our own freedom? Lord, help us use
our religious freedom to spread the good news of your word.
***
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.
***
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”.
***
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
