Just as the Tribes of Israel were delivered from government oppression, so are we who believe. Jesus, the new Moses, has opened the doors to The Kingdom of God to all who believe and obey. We see in today’s reading from the Psalms that our souls, as the Israelites’, may be delivered from being tyrannized by a government that hated them if we, as they, believe and obey.
Responsorial, from Psalms 136
R. His mercy endures forever.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever;
Who remembered us in our abjection,
for his mercy endures forever;
And freed us from our foes,
for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever.
Who smote the Egyptians in their first-born,
for his mercy endures forever;
And brought out Israel from their midst,
for his mercy endures forever;
With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,
for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever.
Who split the Red Sea in twain,
for his mercy endures forever;
And led Israel through its midst,
for his mercy endures forever;
But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea,
for his mercy endures forever.
R. His mercy endures forever.
The Loving Programmer set His Chosen People free in an earlier time. Today, He continues to provide the opportunity for each of us to free ourselves from worldly chains. As in Egypt, that freedom can only come to the obedient. The Tribes obeyed the commands about preparing for the journey and putting lambs’ blood on the doorway. Salvation continues to depend on the Saving Blood of the Lamb.
The Loving Programmer performed miracle after miracle. Pharaoh and those who followed him saw the miracles, yet would not obey The One Who provided Moses the power to perform them. As a result, the disobedient unbelievers were destroyed.
The destruction of disobedient unbelievers continues, unabated. The only escape, as always, is belief and obedience.
