Friday Readings

Acts 7:17-29
“When the time drew near for the fulfillment of the promise that God pledged to Abraham, the people had increased and become very numerous in Egypt, until another king who knew nothing of Joseph came to power (in Egypt). He dealt shrewdly with our people and oppressed (our) ancestors by forcing them to expose their infants, that they might not survive. At this time Moses was born, and he was extremely beautiful. For three months he was nursed in his father’s house; but when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. Moses was educated (in) all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his words and deeds. “When he was forty years old, he decided to visit his kinsfolk, the Israelites. When he saw one of them treated unjustly, he defended and avenged the oppressed man by striking down the Egyptian. He assumed (his) kinsfolk would understand that God was offering them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. The next day he appeared to them as they were fighting and tried to reconcile them peacefully, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you harming one another?’ Then the one who was harming his neighbor pushed him aside, saying, ‘Who appointed you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ Moses fled when he heard this and settled as an alien in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

John 16:25-28
“I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

Jesus promises us both clarity and direct access to the father. The Syriac fathers contemplate this direct access, and emphasize that it does not involve a conversation among equal, but rather it is a conversation in which God allows us tp speak to Him as a king would allow the conversation of a subject or a general woupd allow the conversation of a new recruit. The recruit is granted freedom to speak freely, yet knows that the other is in charge. This parallels the role of Moses a slave boy sentenced to death, is made royalty. He has no position and standing in Egyptian society and yet he is adopted as a son and given the rights of a prince. Later he has access to speak to pharoah, because of these granted rights. God is not cruel like pharoah, but He is king. Yet, as king God adopts us through baptism as a Father adopts a child. We have the right to speak to God, to be in His presence, to recieve the gifts He imparts to and through His Church.

PRAYER – Proemion from the Hoosoyo for Safro for Friday of the Common of the Week according to the Prayer of the Faithful of the Maronite Rite
Praise, glory and honor to the kind and merciful Lord; in His divine providence He cares for all creatures and lavishes His love on all who invoke Him with faith. Never does He refuse to help those who implore Him. The treasure of His kindness remains open to all who repent. To the Lord of goodness is due glory and honor this morning, and all the days of our lives, now and forever. Amen.