Then Moses answered “but suppose they do not believe me or listen to me, but say, ‘the Lord did not appear to you. ‘“ The Lord said to him, “what is that in your hand?” he said, “a staff.” …
But Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; But I am slow of speech and slow of tongue” then the Lord said to him, “who gives speech to mortals?…. Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.”
But he said, “O my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “What of your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know that he can speak fluently; even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth: and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do.”
Take in your hand this staff with which you shall perform the signs.
Exodus 4: 1 – 2, 10 – 15, 17
We so often think of the great heroes of our faith as being strong, courageous, and talented leaders. Moses would certainly be one of these. Another example is St. Gregory the Illuminator, whom God used to change Armenia’s destiny forever. And no one perhaps compares with Mary, the mother of Jesus. In this passage, all of Moses’ human frailty is on display for us. At the time of his profound encounter with God, he was a simple shepherd, tending his flock in the wilderness. He could never have imagined what God had in store for his life. St Gregory and Mary share this trait with Moses – they could not have imagined the impact they would have on the world as a result of placing their full trust in God. As we encounter the Lord this Lent, let us ponder the question “O God, what would you have me do with my life?” Why are we so afraid to ask Him this question? Are we afraid of our shortcomings, or do we fear what He will ask us to do? Either way, we must ask Him.
Let us pray with St. Gregory:
And now, mighty savior, blessed visitor, compassionate comforter,
you, who heard the unspoken supplication of one who wandered into the wilderness,
helpless, lost, unable to speak, bleating inarticulately, you, who in your divine providence
that graces the universe, show again your compassion and the bounty of your kindness to me
whose mortal sins come in all varieties… And forgiving my stubborn defiance,
O long-suffering, merciful, blessed one, be truly generous and forgive me all at once,
for you have no wrath in your heart, nor vexation,
you did not make death or take joy in human misery.
So deliver me with your mercy,
O fount of loving kindness,
who alone are blessed through all eternity.
Amen.
Prayer 15 B, D, E
