The Exodus Event is one of the defining moments in the life of Israel. Through the exodus, the people become a nation and are brought together with the one God, YHWH. Before this time Israel was in all practicality an individual people, i.e. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the book of Exodus, we see these individual people come together as a nation, they have an identity. This is a nation that follows the one God and God is depicted in the midst of the people – a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God is powerful and God is protector. Note that as the people come to the sea of Reeds, God who was leading the people, moves behind the people and keeps the Egyptians away from the Israelites all night!
The Exodus is the way the Israelites come to understand who they are and who God is. The exodus is a divine act of new creation and is remembered by marking the beginning of the year which becomes the beginning of Israel’s new life. The story is remembered and retold through the festival of Passover. This symbolic feast remembers God’s saving action and creates hope and expectation of the ongoing reality of God’s salvation.
Were you surprised, as you read, the number of times that the Passover instructions are recited? Did you also notice the reiteration of these words, “When your children ask you…” Tradition. As the story is passed down to the next generation, the story becomes the story of those who listen and those who ask.
As we enter the season of Advent and wait with hopeful anticipation of the coming of the Christ child, we too remember. We share our story, the story of light and life coming into the world. Today, I shared this story with the children of our preschool. They gather for chapel on Monday mornings and learn about Jesus and God’s love for them. Today they heard the story of the birth of Jesus as told by Angels and shepherds.
Yes, it’s true, I got to be the angel, and it’s a part I look forward to all year. Dressed in white with wings that could use some tender loving care, I tell the children the story that begins this way, “One day, God’s angel came to Mary’s house. The angel said, ‘I have good news for you, God’s son is coming to earth.”
Indeed, it is good news. God comes to earth and brings salvation, peace, hope, redemption, love… Just as in the Exodus story, we hear of God’s liberating salvation from those acts that oppress, just as the story is told to each generation, we continue to tell the story of salvation history from the crossing of the Red Sea to the birth of Christ. We are called to be witnesses to the entire world of God’s act of salvation by telling the stories of our ancestors and the stories of God’s grace in our own lives.
What story will you tell?
inJoy,
Suzy
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6 comments:
Suzy,
I have really been enjoying the reading. Yes, it can be boring - details, details, details. But the picture you posted helps make it become real. Sorry for the lack of comments, but I think we are all caught up in the "details" of the holidays. Don't give up on us!
No worries, I'm not giving up on anyone...I'm just glad to know there are folks out there still reading!!!
Suzy
Suzy,
I cannot read the Exodus story without hearing in my mind the priest chant during The Great Vigil service "This is the night, when you brought our fathers, the children of Israel, out of bondage in Egypt, and led them through the Red Sea on dry land. This is the night, when all who believe in Christ are delivered from gloom of sin, and are restored to grace and holiness of life. This is the night, when Christ broke the bonds of death and hell, and rose victorious from the grave." For me it is the memory of the shared foundation between Jews and Christians. Scripture, tradition and reason that 3 legged stool where we so delicately balance.
A comment to NMK - it is true, isn't as we recite the beautiful liturgy for the sacrament of holy communion, we tell the speak the salvation history - God's presence and God's keeping of the covenant. For me, reciting salvation history speaks to my soul and connects me to the past, present and gives hope for the future.
Suzy
NMK's comments are fresh and insightful. One might add that if Scripture, Tradition and Reason are the legs of the stool on which we balance, then Experience is that broad wooden piece we must finally plant ourselves on, as it is the lens through which all the other parts take their form and relevence.
Please, we need instructions for daily readings for Weeks 13 and 14.
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