The Name Of God

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Thursday of 15th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 1, and the Memorial of St. Bonaventure, July 15th, 2021
Texts: Ex. 3: 13-20; Ps. 105:1.5.8-9.24-27; Mtt. 11:28-30
The name, "I am who I am" is a name that is shrouded in mystery. On the one hand it reveals God as who is beyond human understanding. On the one other hand, it reveals Him as one who always remains Himself, a faithful God, one who is ever true, the truth, one who does not change or  affected by time or space. As He was yesterday so also He is today and so will He be forever. It is a kind of name that assures us that He is as much with us as He was with our forefathers in faith. As He split the sea for the people of Israel, He still does the same in our time. He healed in those days, He still heals now. He cast out demons in those days, He still casts out demons now. He fed His people in those days, He feeds His people now.
Since He is who He is, we can know Him by calling to mind who He was to our forefathers. Hence, He adds: " _say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me"_ The  memory of our forefathers in faith is found in the Scripture and Tradition. This means we are to intensify our devotion to the Scripture and Tradition, for there we meet God in person speaking and acting. Let us take seriously our devotion to the Scripture and Tradition.
Today's psalm, therefore, becomes instructive. It reads: "Make known his deeds among the peoples. Remember the wonders he has done, his marvels and his words of judgement. He remembers his covenant forever: The promise he ordained for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He gave his people great increase; He made them stronger than their foes, whose hearts he turned to hate his people, and to deal deceitfully with his servants."
He is also "I am", which means "He who is". Only Him who is, all other beings live in Him. He is not dead or immortal. Because He is, He is aware of our conditions. Hence, He says, _"I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt; and I promise that I will bring you up out of  the affliction of  Egypt, to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey."_ He is aware of our conditions and needs, if we come to Him He will attend to us and save us. In today's gospel reading, Jesus says, _“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and l will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”_ Let us come to Him, that He might save us and give us eternal life.

The saint, Bonaventure, whose memorial is today, is noted for his devotion to Scripture and Tradition. He had a keen memory and unusual intelligence, which he used for the glory of God in the study of Scripture and Tradition. He also had the ability to reconcile opposing views; he used this gift to reform his order and the Church. Today he is a saint and doctor of the Church. Let us follow his example by our devotion to Scripture and Tradition and using our gifts for God's glory.

 
God our Father, bless us with Your presence always, keep us perpetually in Your sight. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke