Monday of the 16th week in ordinary time year A
Exodus 14: 5-18 Mat. 12: 38-42
Theme: Be Still
In the 1st reading of today from the Book of Exodus, we see how wickedness can easily lead to a person’s destruction. The Egyptians allowed the Israelites to leave after experiencing the mighty power of God fighting for the Israelites. But because of their evil hearts, they could not accept the fact that the Israelites are no longer around to continue to serve them, so they decided to go after the Israelites and bring them back. By this singular decision, they led themselves to their final destruction, instead of allowing them to leave after all the signs that accompanied Gods request to let the Israelites leave.
Immediately the Israelites noticed that the Egyptians were coming after them with their chariots, they started complaining and accusing Moses of bringing them out of Egypt to die in the wilderness. They forgot all that God did for them in Egypt, that even made Pharoah accept to set them free and allow them to go. Rather they started blaming Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. Interestingly, some of us act in the same way when we find ourselves in a similar situation, we forget where we are coming from and what God has done for us already and begin to complain and grumble because things are not going our way. One would have expected that the faith of the people would be as strong as that of Moses, knowing what God can do.
Moses was strong in faith, and he calmed the fears of the people with his soothing words, “The Egyptians you see today you shall see no more”. This is the statement coming from a man with great faith. In the usual way of God, he told Moses what to do, so that no harm will come to them, while the Egyptians will meet their end. This goes to show us that when we are in a battle with the Lord, we have no need to be afraid, because victory is sure. We are all encouraged today to learn to be strong and resolute when we encounter the difficulties of life, have faith and trust in God, he will never fail or disappoint you. God will always come to the aid of all those who have faith and trust in him, in times of difficulties and the challenges of life. As we continue to strive to remain resolute in faith, may almighty God bless us in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.