Thu Mar 31, 2022

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 We are called to stand in the gap for one another before God.

Today's first reading (Ex 32:7-14) tells the story of Moses' intercession for his people who have apostasized by worshipping a golden calf while he is on Mt. Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. Moses has been away forty days. The people are tired of waiting; they pressure Moses' brother Aaron, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” (Ex 32:1) Aaron gives in to their demands. The Israelites bring him the gold received as they departed from Egypt, it is melted down in a fire and cast in the form of a calf. God declares to Moses His intention to consume them in His wrath; Moses pleads for his people, reminding God of His promises to Abraham and his descendants, and the Lord relents. Such is the power of our intercession before God. He is near; He listens, and is moved by our pleas.

David recounts this story in today's psalm response (Ps 106). He relates how the Hebrews “exchanged their glory for the image of a grass-eating bullock” and how Moses withstood God's intention to destroy them: “Moses withstood Him in the breach, to turn back His destructive wrath.” David knows that a good and worthy leader does the same for their wayward people. He or she leads by example and prays for those who have strayed from the path.

Today's Gospel (Jn 5:31-47) reading shows the unwillingness of the Judaeans to believe in Jesus. John the Baptist, in whose light they “rejoiced” testified to Jesus, but they will not believe. Jesus' works, given by the Father to accomplish, testify on His behalf; the Scriptures testify on His behalf, but they will not believe: “You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf. But you do not want to come to me to have life.” Even Moses' words testify on Jesus' behalf; but they still will not believe.

Perhaps our times are not so different. Great testimony to our God and to Jesus abound in this age. Yet people – even many who call themselves Christians – no longer believe. They are swayed by the secular cynicism of the world that explains away everything in terms of “science” or psychological delusion. They are tired of walking in faith. They exchange the refining fires of suffering for more distraction away from the truth about who they are in God's eyes, and Who God is for them. Many are satisfied with golden calves.

In answer to Jesus' question, “When the Son of Man returns, will He find faith?” (Lk 18:8), the remnant bride must answer, “Yes” and be willing to stand in the gap for those whose faith has withered. The remnant bride must stand up as leaders in the quiet of their homes and hearts, and sometimes in the public square and Church – to intercede for those who have grown weary in or strayed from their faith. The troubles and trials of this age do not have the final say in what happens to God's children. We, as beloved intercessors who have died and risen with Christ in Baptism know this. Let us be confident, for God in Christ hears our prayers.

Link to readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/033122.cfm

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