Transcript
Each of our readings today is a strong reminder to us that faith that is alive, creates a response. There is a sense of trust that emanates when from the words all belong to the same God who is rich enough, however many ask for help. We can believe in our head, but our believing is transformative when it comes from the heart because the heart produces action, just like God’s heart. How beautiful it is to hear that the Exodus from Egypt was a result of God’s heartfelt response to the cries of the people. God not only rescues the people but lavishes them with a land flowing with good things. And they are told to honour God by giving the first fruits of their produce to God. Yes, it’s a command, but isn’t that the kind of thing we do in loving response to someone’s generosity? Our response isn’t meant to be a head decision because we are told to do it, it’s a heart decision because it is a response made in love. When we think like this, this also transforms the story of the temptation of Jesus. When tempted, Jesus responds to the devil by quoting commandments. They were so deeply embedded in his being, in his heart, that even in a very dark time, he knew the way of faithfulness to God was by remaining true. A profession of faith lived and breathed.