January 29 Exodus 29-30 & Mark 11:15-33
The Lord’s message through Moses at Sinai is endearing and demanding. “You have seen how I treated the Egyptians and how I bore you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now, if you obey me completely and keep my covenant, you will be my treasured possession among all peoples, though all the earth is mine. You will be to me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.” The Ten Commandments are recorded here in Exodus and also in the Book of Deuteronomy. The version that we learned growing up follows the Commandments found in Deuteronomy. While we can hear these commandments from a judgmental point of view, I encourage you to hear them in love from a God who bears you up on eagles’ wings and sees us as his treasured possession. “I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any strange gods before Me.” “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.” “Honor thy father and mother.” “Thou shalt not kill.” “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” “Thou shalt not steal.” “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.” “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.” There is a right path, and our Lord God wishes to guide us on it.
The Gospel of Mark has Jesus at the Temple the new Mount Sinai. Is it just another building of brick and mortar? Not to Jesus. It is a privileged place to come into God’s presence. “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Stop by the Church, the new Temple and come into the privileged presence of God for you, if the door is not open come by the office or call me. Jesus even helps us in our prayer as he says, “Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.” Sorry, this is not the time to ask for a Corvette. It is a time to ask for faith. Faith in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit to guide you through the trials and troubles that come.
