November 17, 2020

Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

This morning we read the origin story of Moses from Exodus 2.  Moses was a beautiful baby born into a dangerous world, hidden away to protect him from being abused, taken, or killed.  His mother's mama-bear instincts took over.  She would do anything to guard over her precious child - hide him, comfort him, quiet him so that those who were seeking to do him harm could not find him.  How many refugee and migrant mothers are doing the same this very morning? How many mothers are worried their child's cry or chatter will alert a guard or a soldier who might take that baby from her arms, never to be seen again?  There is a desperate and relentless drive to be a shield against those who are more powerful.  Can you imagine?

His mother prayed and determined the only way to save her baby was to let him go.  She brought the best basket she could find, coated it so that it would be waterproof, lined it with blankets, tears, and words of assurance.  She kissed her baby and placed him in the basket and released him to float down the river with his sister Miriam keeping a close eye on his journey.  Her hopes were that he would end up in the arms of someone who would protect him.  Her prayers were that he would come to know that she did all this because she loved him.

When the daughter of the Pharaoh found him, her prayers were answered.  He would be protected.  He would know his mother's love.  And, he would have a name.  Moses, which means, "I drew him out of the water."

What does your name mean?  What is your origin story?  Who watched over and protected you from harm?  Call someone and share together about the lengths some would go to protect their child from the dangers of this world.  Pray for mothers and their precious, vulnerable children.

Peace,
Dean