Today, for a moment, Jesus gives us insight into his innermost thoughts. After he spent some time in prayer, hear the actual words of his prayer. He prays: “Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, to you I offer praise; for what you have hidden from the learned and the clever you have revealed to the merest children.”
Likewise, the account of God’s revelation to Moses through a burning bush in the wilderness, proves that small and insignificant things we experience affect our Christian life and faith in ways unimaginable. Exodus tells of Moses in reverential awe as he approaches the burning bush, and it is revealed to him that God intends to liberate His people new people. This incident transformed the life of Moses and the history of God’s people forever. In today’s reflection, let’s see what we can learn about small things from this passage.
A divine mission came to Moses from the burning bush. As this call reached his soul he simply said: “Here I am.” With total spontaneity, he asked to know the name and nature of God, and his request was answered: “I am the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.” Later God reveals his most sacred name as Yahweh, the One who is always there with you.
Pay Attention to Small Things
Burning bushes were a common sight in the wilderness and Moses must have seen hundreds of them before. He could have not seen that the bush wasn’t being consumed although it was in flames, unless he had paid close attention. My Dear friends, in everything that happens in your life, ask God what is your purpose behind this incident?
God wanted to see how sensitive Moses was toward the insignificant things of life before he invested him with larger tasks. God’s work is sophisticated. Such tasks require discernment, wisdom, and patience. Therefore no one can fulfill greater tasks of God if they are not sensitive to smaller things.
God Uses Small Things for His Glory
It was just an insignificant, common bush. The Bible doesn’t even identify its name. Why did God choose a bush instead of a tree? (In my Igbo folklore it’s believed that gigantic trees are dwelling places of deities). He doesn’t choose the swollen-headed or people puffed up with knowledge. He calls only the humble and the meek.
I am sure there’s no preacher nor a Bible teacher that has not spoken about Moses. But I am sure there are many out there who may not consider the burning bush as important. Yet it is worth our attention. Moses found the miracle in a bush not in an almond tree. Likewise, God is still using small things to accomplish great purposes including miraculous deliverance.
Next time you see a burning bush in your own life, you may consider discerning God’s purpose behind it because at the deepest level of our life, God dwells within us. In God we are in touch with our most profound self, our secret mission, our heavenly name, written in the book of life (Luke 10:20).
[Readings: Ex 3:1-6, 9-12; 103:1b-2, 3-4, 6-7; Mt 11:25-27]
Beautiful and thoughtful reflection, Father. I never thought about the burning bush in this way. I will certainly keep this in mind and be attuned to other signs of God’s presence in the ordinary moments of life. Loved your last line about “the book of life.” Also, I noted your mission statement comes from St. Francis’ prayer–it is one of my favorite prayers. Thanks and God bless.