The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceaseth.

Saturday 20^th July, 2019. Exodus 12:37-42, Psalm 136 and Matthew 12:14-21

“The time that the people of Israel dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And at the end of four hundred and thirty years, on that very day, all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. It was a night of watching by the LORD, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the LORD by all the people of Israel throughout their generations.” (Exodus 12:40-42)

Finally, as we read in today’s first reading, the children of Israel were freed from the bondage of Pharaoh’s captivity. They did not come to Egypt to become slaves rather they came in search of food as a result of famine. From time immemorial, humans have always migrated in search of food, water and a better life. No one person can claim ownership of land in the true sense of the word. Apart from the fact that naked we came from our mothers’ wombs and naked we shall return, all humans are descendants of migrants.

Today, migration has become a very big issue all over the world, many developed countries are refusing to allow migrants to enter their country forgetting that their own ancestors were migrants as well. Added to the issue of migration is the issue of racism. Why do we look down on people simply because they come from distant places and are seeking in a better life in this part of the world we have come to define as ours?

What makes us afraid of migrants? Well, this fear is quite ancient as we see in our first reading. A Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph. He was so afraid of the Israelites that he tried all he could to decimate their population first by forcing them into hard labour (slavery) and secondly by attempting to kill their unborn males. The same thing is happening today masked as abortion (the silent genocide).

The people cried to God and He decided to send Moses to Pharaoh with a simple message: “Let My People Go.” Unfortunately, Pharaoh refused. Pharaoh is an example of today’s leaders even in our country who do not really care about the welfare of the people, leaders who are not concerned about insecurity in the land or the amount of lives wasted on a daily basis but would not allow the country to split.

Eventually, after many signs worked by God through Moses, (the last of which was the death of all the firstborn sons of Egypt), Pharaoh was forced to let the people go. Leadership is not all about power, it is service. It is not about what you get from the people but how you make their lives better. If you cannot lead, then let the people go lest you find yourself challenging God like this Pharaoh.

Today’s first reading calls to mind that very night the people of Israel were free at last after four hundred and thirty years. They came in as free men through the influence of Joseph who was sold as a slave and now they depart as slaves. They came in to find food, now they depart heading towards the Promised Land which was flowing with milk and honey. Their departure did not happen as a result of political or military might but purely as a result of God’s intervention. These people were supposed to remember this night and keep it as a memorial forever. However, as we shall see later on, they soon forgot who God is and spoke against Him in the wilderness.

When last did you take out time to deliberately remember the good things God has done in your life? When last did you appreciate God for His many mighty interventions? For saving you from life-threatening situations in the past? Two lessons we learn today: One, only God can save us from bad leaders and God is going to use people like Moses who are willing to obey God’s call. Two: We must not be ungrateful so that when tough times come, our faith may carry us on.

The Pharisees were plotting against Jesus to destroy him but this did not stop Jesus from continuing his good work. All those who came to Him received healing. This tells us the extent of God’s mercy. Truly, God cares. Just as He saved the people of Israel from bondage, God saves us from the bondage of our sicknesses and diseases when we call on him. The people of Israel cried to him from Egypt and He rescued them. Do not lose heart, cry to God and He will rescue you.

Sing…. “The Steadfast Love of the Lord never ceaseth”…. “His mercies never come to an end…..” “They are new every morning, new every morning, great is thy faithfulness O Lord.”

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, save us from bad leaders. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 15^th Week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Exodus 12:37-42, Psalm 136 and Matthew 12:14-21).