O Adonai

Leader of the House of Israel, who once appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush, and on Sinai’s heights gave him the tablets of the Law. O come! Come, redeem your people; come, save us with outstretched arm.

Some years ago, I climbed Mount Sinai during a trip to Egypt.  The same rocky, uneven path that Moses climbed no less than eight times at the age of 80!  

I imagined the spectacular scene that transpired when God spoke to Moses face to face on that mountain. What place of drama! Thick clouds and smoke, rumbling thunder, fire and sparks as the finger of God inscribed the tablets with the Ten Commandments!

In Israel, the Ten Commandments are often referred to as “The Ten Pearls of Respect: respect God, respect His name, respect His holy day, respect your mother and father, respect the truth, respect your neighbor’s life, respect your neighbor’s wife, respect your neighbor’s honor, respect your neighbor’s stuff, respect yourself. The rules for a blessed life.

God, today many people consider you a hidden, mysterious God. They do not know how to seek and where to find you. Wouldn’t it be merciful if you stepped out of your invisibility and showed yourself in a more dramatic visible presence as you did in the good old days with Moses? Wouldn’t it settle once and for all the question of your existence? Wouldn’t it prove that you listen to prayers and care about mankind? Wouldn’t it foster faith?

Maybe not. Ten plagues with millions of locusts, frogs, and flies invaded Egypt, water turned into blood and day into night. Who could ever have doubted that your hand was at work, but did Pharaoh believe? Did it soften Pharaoh’s heart? I’m afraid not.

The Israelites went through the Red Sea on dry ground. It was you who gave them the Manna from heaven and water from the rock. You spoke from the mountain and the earth trembled. You built a tabernacle, making the desert a place of order and spiritual beauty. God, who would ever have doubted your presence at work?

But did the people believe?  I’m afraid not. Instead, they trudged through the desert for 40 years complaining and yearning for the fish and garlic of Egypt.

In the fullness of time, God, you sent your Son. You couldn’t have come nearer to us than when you became flesh yourself. Jesus, born in a barn, humble, quiet, no smoke, no overwhelming display of power.

People could see him, hear him, touch him. They could walk up to him, ask questions or debate. They witnessed his miracles. Jesus associated with the outcast, blessed the children. He wiped the tears from the eyes of many troubled faces and even raised Lazarus from the dead. Then, did the people believe? I’m afraid not.

For heaven’s sake! What good can come from Nazareth!? A carpenter, the boy of Mary and Joseph!

O Adonai, you are a mighty God, but you cannot win against an obnoxious people.
Still, love is patient, love is kind.  It believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.  And therefore, despite everything, one day all things shall be well.