If you are like me, you might be wondering how long it will take for society to reverse its course and return to God. After all, it certainly feels like we are headed in the opposite direction. Have been for years, right? Maybe decades? For better or worse, one of the readings from Saturday gave me some perspective. In the first reading, Exodus 12:37-42, we are reminded that the Israelites spent four hundred and thirty years in Egypt before God led them out of their slavery.
Four hundred and thirty years.
Four hundred and thirty years ago today, the U.S. wasn't even a country. The Anglo-Spanish war had just begun, and we were in the early stages of the Elizabethan era in England.
In other words, it was a long time ago.
When you read about the Israelite's slavery in the context of thousands of years, it feels like a blink. But can you imagine being an Israelite 30 years into that period, wondering how long it would last? Not realizing there were another four hundred years to go?
What does that mean for us today? The optimist in me says that perhaps this generation will help shift society back to God. But reading passages like Exodus makes me wonder if we are simply in the middle of a much longer "slavery".
Each of us can make a difference, of course, with our actions and our prayers. But sometimes it is hard to tell which chapter of the story we are in - or even how long that chapter is!
God bless you, and our world.
2 comments:
That is certainly something to think about Michael. You're right that we seem to have moved away from God as a society and a human race ... but for how much longer?
We should continue to pray.
God bless you and your family.
I think along these lines sometimes. We think that things are the worst now that they can possibly be, with abortion, homosexuality and the persecution and martyrdom of Christians rampant throughout the world. But really, looking back in history there have been times equally as bad. I am sure the people of those times thought that it couldn't get much worse; Christians being thrown to the lions, the Inquisition, Hitler- but we persevere and God still forgives us and keeps giving us chances. There are still devout and faithful Catholics and other God fearing Christians who will carry us through the hard times to come. But how long, O Lord, must we endure?
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