Wednesday 13 August 2025 - Signs and wonders

Wednesday 13 August 2025

Today is Wednesday the 13th of August, in the 19th week of Ordinary Time. The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing the Benedictus: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, He has visited his people and redeemed them. As you enter into prayer today, rest for a moment in the confidence that - whatever may seem wrong with the world, or with our lives - God’s love redeems it all: ‘The Lord has visited his people and redeemed them’. (Lyrics currently unavailable) Today’s reading is from the Book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho, and the Lord showed him the whole land: Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negeb, and the Plain—that is, the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees—as far as Zoar. The Lord said to him, ‘This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants”; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.’ Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigour had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended. Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses. Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequalled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. This passage brings us to the final moments of Moses’ life. After leading the Israelites for decades through trials, rebellion, and wilderness, God shows Moses the Promised Land—but he is told he will not enter it. He dies on the mountain, and leadership passes to Joshua, who is filled with the spirit. Moses sees the fulfilment of God's promise—but not for himself. Consider times when you have felt you have been part of a mission whose fruit you may never see? Ask the Spirit to guide your heart to identify a need for outcomes, recognition, or control. Moses was not only a prophet but also a leader. His death suggesting that leadership in the spiritual life is also stewardship. Moses steps aside and blesses the future. Reflect – where are you being invited to let go, trust others, or make space? As we listen to the passage again, consider where, in your relationship with the Lord, have you been aware of God’s faithfulness? The Lord said to him, ‘This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants”; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.’ Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigour had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended. Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses. Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequalled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. In a time of prayer rest in God’s presence, reflecting back on your journey together. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be World without end Amen