"I have heard the cries of the people ..."

 

Today's first reading from Exodus 3:1-6, 9-12 is considered to be one of the most important parts of the Old Testament. Moses is looking after a flock of sheep in the wilderness when he saw a blazing bush that was not being burnt up. He went to look more closely at the strange sight and God called to him telling him to take off his sandals for he was standing on holy ground. He is then told that it is God who is speaking to him. He then says the words that gave rise to the theology of liberation. ''I have heard the cries of the people of Israel, I have seen the oppression caused by the Egyptians and I have come down so that you will lead the people out of Egypt and bring them to freedom.'' Those words are central to our life and our faith. All God's creation is sacred and must be respected and protected. We are seeing the tragic results when this teaching is not put into practice. We are witnessing the devastation caused by floods, cyclones, bushfires when the climate is not protected. God created us to live a peaceful and dignified life but this is far from the reality in those countries where war is being waged. Moses led the people to the promised land which they imagined would be flowing with milk and honey. Who will be liberators today if not the followers of Jesus who believe in his teachings? Today we also remember Our Lady of Mount Carmel, first venerated by the Carmelites towards the end of the 12th century when they began as hermits on Mount Carmel. Mary, under that title is especially revered in Chile where she is the Patroness. Dear Lord, as Mary brought you into our world to be our Saviour, we need you more than ever in our troubled world today. Show us, Lord, how we can be channels of your love to all those places and peoples where there is so much need of your saving presence.