Reflection for Thursday, August 4, 2005: 18th week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Bergman, Roger
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2005-08-04
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Essay
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en_US
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On this life long journey, we must continue to answer the question, "How well do we follow instructions?" If we are trying to assemble a bicycle, a toy, or even bake a cake, do we use the instructions or do we go by our own intuition? Well, I'm afraid that we're just the children of Israel who didn't always follow instructions, which usually produces bad results.||The children of Israel were allowed to wander in the wilderness for 40 years because of their disobedience and unwillingness to follow God's instructions. In Numbers the 20th chapter, after God had selected Moses and Aaron to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, they were now in Kadesh (the wilderness), with no water, and no vegetation. The Israelites were complaining against Moses and Aaron for their present condition, so much like people today. We attempt to blame everyone else but ourselves. We never seem to be satisfied.||God gave clear instructions to Moses and Aaron to speak to the spiritual rock, that it may yield water for the people and their animals. Although Moses instead hit the rock twice which caused God to not allow Moses or Aaron to lead the Israelites into the Promise land.||This is why it is so important for each one of us to know Jesus for ourselves. Each one of us is accountable to God for our own deeds. In Matthew, the 16th chapter, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" After much deliberation, Jesus re-phrased the question by asking, "But who do you say that I am?" The whole idea of knowing Jesus becomes personal. No matter how tough life becomes, Jesus is the answer.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary number: 410