January 28 Exodus 17-18 & Mark 11:1-14

Moses was a good leader. Many leaders are frozen in place. They want and have total control and listen to no one. Moses is looking to God, but he also listens and follows the guidance of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. Jethro suggests that he let go of some of his power to judge. Let otherwise persons in the community of Israel help with lesser decisions. The saying two heads are better than one. Is there a wise elder person in your life that you listen to? If not maybe now is a good time to pray to God to see such a person near you. Whether you are a parent, boss, manager or worker, it is a sign of strength to know when you need help or wisdom. No one person need be burdened with the decisions of life – find a wise elder and enjoy the blessings of shared wisdom.

In Mark’s gospel passage we hear part of the HOLY HOLY we say at each Mass right before the consecration. The line, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” has always spoken to me. You and I come in the name of the Lord to all we meet. We carry about us the presence of Christ. This is a blessing and a call to remember who we present to those we are among. As I shared above about the Old Testament reading today, I now in humility prove the above point. I had to go to the commentaries to remember what was behind the cursing of the fig tree that did not have fruit out of season. This passage does not seem like the Jesus we know. Here Jesus is prophetic. The Temple should be a place that is Holy and respected, but it wasn’t. The Jewish temple will be replaced by the temple of Jesus body which is saying the Jewish Temple is cursed and will be destroyed which will happen in 70 AD.