divine intimacy
"Anyone who wished to consult the Lord would go to this meeting tent." —Exodus 33:7
Moses used to pitch the meeting tent. Here Moses met the Lord and brought the people's concerns to the Lord. "The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as one man speaks to another" (Ex 33:11). Many Christians envy Moses. They wished they had a tent where they could meet the Lord and speak to Him face to face.
However, we have much better than a meeting tent. We can communicate with God anywhere, not just in one place, not just at scheduled times. Furthermore, we have a communication with God better than face to face. Because God became man, by faith we can live in Jesus and He in us (Jn 6:56, 17:23). This is being closer than close. By His almighty power, Jesus can be simultaneously both inside and outside us. We can even receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in Holy Communion.
Moses never dreamed of the personal, intimate love we can have with the Lord. Instead of us envying Moses, he should envy us because we are the temples of the indwelling Trinity (Jn 14:23; 1 Cor 6:19). Many people question if we have such amazing opportunities for intimacy, love, and communication with God. They reason: "If we have such opportunities, why aren't we in much deeper communion with the Lord?" Because of sin and selfishness, we have not used our opportunities to grow in love for the Lord. We need to repent and begin today to draw closer than close to the Lord.
Prayer: Jesus, may I not merely go to Communion, but be in Communion with You.
Promise: "The saints will shine like the sun in their Father's kingdom. Let everyone heed what he hears!" —Mt 13:43
Praise: St. Peter's primary tool in teaching was the short sermon, which quickly penetrated hearts, but didn't fatigue them. Over 1500 of his sermons still survive today.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 18, 2013
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