Read Exodus 33:7-11,34:5-9,28, Ps. 103:6-13, Matthew 13:36-43
“And Moses made haste to bow his head toward the earth and worshipped. And he said, ‘If now I have found favour in thy sight, O Lord, let the Lord, I pray thee, go in the midst of us, although it is a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thy inheritance.” (Exodus 34:8-9).
In the parable of the weeds among the wheat, we can see different kinds of people in the world. The good seed represents those of us who believe in God and are children of the kingdom, while the weeds represent the children of the world who love to perpetrate evil.
As much as we live side by side with evildoers, we are supposed to be leaders in our little ways. Leading others takes work. Sometimes, like Moses, you may find yourself alone against the crowd. Moses was just one man, yet as one man, he brought an entire nation to repentance from idolatry.
Upon returning from the mountain with the stone tablets, Moses could have kept his mouth shut in timidity since the crowd outnumbered him. He could have resisted pressure like the weak Aaron, who fashioned a golden calf for them. But then, Moses stood his ground for what was right, even if it was unpopular. Moses did not believe in the dictum: “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Instead, he beat them until they all joined him. This is leadership.
Leadership is not easy, but there is a secret to being successful at it: PRAYER. As a man, Moses was very weak; he lacked physical strength, having passed his young age. He was a meek person. He couldn’t speak coherently and confidently (hence the need for Aaron). The success of his leadership prowess came from his constant meetings with God.
Every good leader must have a tent of meeting with God. Every good leader must have the habit of going up to the mountain to consult with God. We are powerless if we are not in tune with God by daily prayer. God had decided to destroy the people, but Moses pleaded and spared the nation. In truth, leaders are prayer warriors.
If you are a leader in any capacity, be you a Father or Mother, a teacher, a minister, or a public official, never become too busy to pray. Remember, no matter how hard you work, you can never work harder than God; you can never say: “God, I don’t need you.” You can never depend on yourself. Revive your prayer life today.
Today we celebrate the memorial of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, the founder of the Order of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). He was an Italian Catholic Bishop, spiritual writer, composer, musician, artist, poet, lawyer, scholastic philosopher, and theologian. He was born on the 27th of September, 1696 and died on the 1st of August, 1787, at Pagini, in Italy.
Amongst his favourite quotes include: Acquire the habit of speaking to God as if you were alone with Him, familiarly and with confidence and love, as to the dearest and most loving of friends. Your God is ever beside you - indeed, He is even within you.
Let us pray: Almighty ever-living God, equip me daily to be a better leader. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saint Alphonsus Mary de Liguori, Bishop, Doctor. Bible Study: Exodus 33:7-11,34:5-9,28, Ps. 103:6-13, Matthew 13:36-43).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu