He did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the Lord. – Exodus 34:29

       While leading worship one night, I asked God to bless me in a special way. In the past, God would always save me in small ways: He supplies my words at the right moment. He gives me the breath to reach high notes. He even gives me the energy to jump, despite my heavy tummy!

       But this night was an ordinary night. There was nothing in particular that I wished for. But as I was jumping up and down, everything suddenly went slow-mo. A breeze of sweet perfume touched my nose. It was the smell of fresh breeze within a sea of sweat and song.

     I lingered. I stopped singing and took it all in. I didn’t know who sprayed perfume, but one thing was sure: this was God. And when I picked up the mic, a new breath embraced the sound. There was a new life, a new energy filling my bones. God was saying: “I am pleased.” That night wasn’t ordinary after all. Better yet, in that ordinary night, God made His presence known.

       Just like how God manifested in Moses’ radiant face. It was evident. It was unmistakable. Through the light of his face, everyone knew that God had  spoken. And God loves to show Himself in the ordinary, if only to tell us, “I love you.” Migs Ramirez (migsramirez.seminars@gmail.com)

Reflection: How has God shown Himself to you today?

Jesus, let me see You in the ordinary things of today. Amen.

St. Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop, pray for us.

The face of Moses became radiant when he came before the Lord. This means that we will be changed when we come into God’s presence. His presence is great and unites us with Him. Let us anticipate the day when we will come into His presence and remain with Him always.

29 As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the Lord. 30 When Aaron, then, and the other children of Israel saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him. 31 Only after Moses called to them did Aaron and all the rulers of the community come back to him. Moses then spoke to them. 32 Later on, all the children of Israel came up to him, and he enjoined on them all that the Lord had told him on Mount Sinai. 33 When he finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 Whenever Moses entered the presence of the Lord to converse with him, he removed the veil until he came out again. On coming out, he would tell the children of Israel all that had been commanded. 35 Then the children of Israel would see that the skin of Moses’ face was radiant; so he would again put the veil over his face until he went in to converse with the Lord.

R: Holy is the Lord our God.

5 Extol the Lord, our God, and worship at his footstool; holy is he! (R) 6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests, and Samuel, among those who called upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them. (R) 7 From the pillar of cloud he spoke to them; they heard his decrees and the law he gave them. (R) 9 Extol the Lord, our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for holy is the Lord, our God. (R)

What is your most important goal in life? What are the most important things for you? Answers to these questions reveal where your heart is. Where your heart is will tell you where you are investing your time and resources. If God is not a part of this, then perhaps it is time to reconsider your goals as it is our relationship with Him that is the most important aspect of our lives. Without God as part of our life, we will not enter into the fullness of eternal life.

I call you my friends, says the Lord; for I have made known to you all that the Father has told me.

44 Jesus said to his disciples: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. 46 When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”

think: Where is your heart directed? Who is your treasure?

Read the Bible in one year 1 Maccabees 5-6

T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

MOTION AND MISSION

Moses had become a changed man after seeing the Lord on Mount Horeb. “The skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the Lord.” It was going to be the same case every time he went up to commune with God.

           Being the appointed leader en route to the Promised Land, Moses was a man in motion. He was always on the move. But he, too, was a man who learned to sit still with the Lord and allowed Him to transform not just the skin of his face.

            Our saint for today was also a man in search. As a young boy, Peter Julian Eymard was already an indefatigable pilgrim, devoted as he had been early on to the Blessed Mother. His search initially led him to the diocesan seminary and he was actually ordained for the Diocese of Grenoble. But his searching led him later to join the Marists, where his devotion to Mary found its real meaning and foundation in the devotion to the Eucharist.

            The vision of the Lord at Horeb transformed Moses. No one sees God and lives, according to biblical tradition. Indeed, no one sees God and lives like before. This may well have been the explanation for the gradual transformation of St. Peter Julian Eymard — from being a Marian devotee to also being a stalwart of the Eucharist, from being a secular priest to being a Marist, from being a Marist to being a founder of a congregation whose focus, along with active ministry, was on contemplating the beauty and sublime dignity of the Blessed Sacrament.

       Moses and all the saints were men in motion. They were moved by something noble and deep from within them. Moses was moved by the call of God Himself. St. Peter Julian Eymard was moved by an intense and deep love for Jesus and His mother Mary. Saints are not just men in motion. Holy men and women, whose lives have been transformed by what they see and live and love and value, are also men and women in mission.

        St. Peter Julian Eymard found his “pearl of great price” in the Eucharist. What is yours? Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

---------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

How has the call of God moved you?

Jesus, grant me the grace to listen to Your voice and move towards the fulfillment of Your will in my life. Amen.