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What a beautiful day to reflect on your very unusual ways, O God our Father; once again, there is that issue of being lost in our readings today: your people have to take a long and circuitous route out of Egypt going to your Promised Land only to be caught up near the Red Sea by their former masters pursuing them to take them back to slavery.
But Moses answered the people, "Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the Lord will win for you today." Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. And you, lift up your staff and, with hand outstretched over the sea, split the sea in two, that the children of Israel may pass through it on dry land." (Exodus 14:13,15-16)
Yes, dearest God our Father, sometimes we need to get lost in order to find you and one's self; we have to be led to unfamiliar routes and places and situations in life for indeed, complacency breeds contempt. Set us free from our routines and own ways of thinking and doing that have unconsciously enslaved us that we no longer trust you.
Teach us to "stand our ground" like when Moses answered his people amid their many complaints that we may be consistent with our desires to be truly free and fulfilled. Teach us to "go forward" as you commanded your people to cross the Red Sea and believe in you, follow your lead to experience your great power and wonders.
He said to them in reply, "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet." (Matthew 12:39)
Forgive us, dear Jesus in seeking so many signs from you, doubting you, mistrusting you despite all the love and mercy and blessings you have showered us. When we are lost in the many trappings of this world, help us find our way back home to you, to rest anew in your gentle mercy and love. Amen.
