Deuteronomy 32: The Song of Moses
Second Sunday of Lent, March 17, 2019
From commentary: In the style of the great prophets, the speaker is often God himself. The whole song is a poetic sermon, having for its theme God’s benefits to Israel (vv 1-14) and Israel’s ingratitude and idolatry in turning to the gods of the pagans, which sins will be punished by the pagans themselves (vv 15-29); in turn, the foolish pride of the pagans will be punished, and the Lord’s honor will be vindicated (vv 30-43). (Senior 222)
Who are these gods of the pagans to whom we turn? Our obsession with immediate and empty gratification? Our desire to put ourselves first and others last?
Jesus reminds us that in the Kingdom the world is turned on its head. The meek will inherit, the first will be last, what is empty will be full.
Where do we see our own foolish pride? In the pumping up of self? In the building of self rather than the building of Kingdom?
Jesus lays out for us the life and work of his disciples so that we might see that we are to act in servant leadership with salvific love.
How is this foolish life punished? The unwise are destined to become enslaved by the chains they put on others. The reckless eventually find themselves enveloped in the same dangerous plots they weave for others.
Jesus shows us that forgiveness and compassion are the tools he uses to engender a love that endures forever and cannot be outdone.
Moses makes a final appeal to the people, asking that they take to heart all the warning. Let us too, take up the counsel to root out our foolish pride and banish false gods. Let us climb our own Mount Hor to see the Promised Land from a distance . . . and then let us ask the Living God for safe passage in this journey of conversion of the heart.
A re-post from March 19, 2012. Senior, Donald, ed. THE CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE. New York, Oxford University Press, 1990.222. Print.
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