March 7, 2010 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
7 MARCH 2010, 5:15, 8:00, 10:30
READINGS: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12; Luke 13:1-9
SAINT MARY PARISH, VIROQUA
Introduction: Today we hear one of my favorite stories in the entire bible, the story of Moses and the burning bush.
1. Years earlier Moses had fled Egypt. Now, he is shepherding in the land of Midian. One day, tending his sheep, he sees this bush burning, but it is not consumed by the fire. Then, he hears the voice. “Moses, remove the sandals from your feet. This is holy ground. I want you to return to Egypt to make my people free.” “Who shall I say is sending me?” Moses asks. The Lord replies, “I am who am.” One theologian translates that as “I am the One who causes to be all that comes into existence.” Moses is reluctant, but this is the beginning of a sacred journey for Moses. And, it successfully brings the people of Israel home to freedom.
2. Now, the question for us is this. “Have you ever had a burning bush experience?” Many other people have; and theirs was followed by a great adventure too.
a. St. Paul had his on the road to Damascus; his was an encounter with the risen Christ and it changed his life forever. He became the greatest missionary of all times.
b. Dorothy Day had a burning bush experience in a church in New York City. She had a child out of wedlock whom she dearly loved. Then, however, because of the example of Catholics in that church and the intimacy she felt there with Christ, she turned her heart and her life over to God.
c. Malcolm Muggeridge was a reporter for the British Broadcasting Company. One day he was asked to interview Mother Teresa of Calcutta. He met her as she ministered to the poor in the streets of Calcutta, India. “I will never forget that little lady as long as I live. The face, the glow, the eyes, the love – it was all so pure and beautiful. It was like being in the presence of an angel. It changed my life. Muggeridge became a Catholic because of that burning bush experience.
d. We should be watchful, attentive to the presence of God. He can be found in every conceivable human experience. Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote, “Earth’s crammed with heaven and every common bush afire with God, but only he who sees takes off his shoes, the rest sit around and pick blackberries.”
3. Again, have you ever had a burning bush experience? We say that Jesus saves us; but he doesn’t save us from something. He saves us for something. He saves us to bear fruit, to be burning bushes for one another. Every one of us can do so. A commentator recently said, “Each person is in some respect like all others, like some others, like no other.” Like no one else, you can bring Christ to the world. Nikos Kazantzakis tells a story. A monk speaks to an almond tree, “Almond tree, speak to us of God.” And the almond tree blossomed. Just so, each unique individual has unique blossoms to bring into this world.
Conclusion: Be attentive to the burning bushes in your life. Let the presence of God in you blossom!