George W. Bush noticed an old man in a long white robe, a long white beard and hair and carrying two stone tablets. He asked, "Are you Moses?"
The man was silent. George asked him again, ''Are you Moses?'' The old man ignored him. George grabs him, looks in his eyes and insists, "Answer me - Are you Moses?"
The man replies, "I'm not saying a thing! The last time I spoke to a Bush I ended up roaming the desert for 40 years!"
When Moses was called by God he did give God a run around, at first, but ended up responding generously to his call. You and I are called this Lent to do something more than give up chocolate or snacks between meals. That is good enough for children. We are called to much more.
In "Consecrated by Circumstance and Need" Father Ron Rolheiser gives this scenario: "You are on your way to a restaurant to meet a friend for dinneryou witness a car accident. Some of the people in the accident are seriously hurt and you are the first to arrive at the scene. At that moment your own agenda, dinner with a friend, is put on hold.
"You've lost your freedom and are, by circumstance and need, conscripted to remain there and help. You phone for an ambulance, you call for the police, and you wait with the injured until help arrives."
To not respond to the situation would be abdicating your humanity, Rolheiser says. You are totally free. You could just leave and go to your dinner. "Setting aside your freedom in order to stop and help at a traffic accident doesn't alter your humanity;" Ron says, "it just suspends your ordinary activity. It calls you to service because you happen to be there, not because you are more special or holier than anyone else."
Circumstance has consecrated you and set you apart for service in this situation, Ron says. Another example Ron uses says: When God called Moses he did object. Others were more qualified. Why me? And God said, "You have seen their suffering!"
Circumstance and need have consecrated Moses.
This Lent I have purposely eaten chocolate, even on a weekday. That was to remind me to do something more. As our perception grows, the needs of those around us will consecrate us to respond to the call.
Our greatest gift from God is compassion! It is what moved Christ to feed the multitudes, to teach them even when he was exhausted, to cure the sick that pressed around him, to love, love, love.
This Lent let us build on the habit of seeing the circumstances around us and responding in love to our families, our parish and our community. Carry chocolate in your provision bag; it may be the energy you need to keep moving.
