Thursday, 4th April 2019

Unfortunately politicians have a rather bad name today. This is a pity because politics are an essential part of life. When, for example, Mum and Dad bargain with little son or daughter and get him or her to do another fifteen minutes of home work before running to the computer, they are engaging in the necessary art of family politics. In today’s first reading we find Moses trying his hand at politics too.

Moses was trying to be a loyal servant of God and of his fellow Israelites. He also reminded Yahweh of his promises to his people.

Moses, great and holy as he was, was a man of the Old Testament. He had not seen the overwhelming goodness of God manifested in Christ. When begging God to be faithful to his people he didn’t realize how open the door was on which he was pushing. Yahweh was only too glad to help his people. But the people had to be ready to accept his goodness. They were the ones who had to change. Moses’ prayer may have helped to bring about that change. He was in solidarity with his people. His goodness and desire became theirs so that they were changed by the mercy of God.

During Lent, when we pray for “sinners” (not excluding ourselves) our prayers may be seen by God as a change of heart on the part of the whole human race and he will act accordingly. That is, he will act lovingly.

Father, forgive us for we know not what we are doing.