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Wednesday, July 14, 1999

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Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12
Psalm 103
Matthew 11:25-27

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mountain range

"He came to Horeb, the mountain of God." —Exodus 3:1

There are many mountains in life. For example, Mount Gerizim is the mountain of blessings for God's obedient people, while Mount Ebal is the mountain of curses (Dt 27:12-13). Mount Sinai is the mountain of the commandments (Ex 19:2), and Mount Carmel is the mountain of restoring our covenant with God and overcoming idolatry and false prophets (1 Kgs 18:19ff). Ultimately, Jesus wants us to walk with Him to Mount Calvary, by which we draw "near to Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem" (Heb 12:22).

To start climbing God's mountain range, we need to begin as Moses began — on Mount Horeb (Ex 3:1). There we see God in the burning bush (Ex 3:2-4). We see God consuming us by the fire of His love (see Heb 12:29). On Mount Horeb, we hear God call our names (Ex 3:4) and reveal to us His name (Ex 3:14). Mount Horeb is holy ground (Ex 3:5). Here we take off our shoes (Ex 3:5) and humble ourselves. On Mount Horeb, we enter into the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111:10) and of much of the Christian life. On Mount Horeb, God calls us to set His people free.

Climb Mount Horeb. In this year dedicated to God the Father, hear your Father call you by name.

Prayer:  Father, after beginning at Horeb, may I end at Zion.

Promise:  "No one knows the Son but the Father, and no one knows the Father but the Son — and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him." —Mt 11:27

Praise:  Blessed Kateri was orphaned at age fourteen, baptized at age twenty, and taken to be with her Beloved at age twenty-four.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 28, 1998


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 1, 1998