Looking for a clear choice

How can we get a picture of God from the texts today in the Roman Catholic Lectionary? The obvious answer might be from simply reading the texts. There are apparent contradictions and paradox in these passages. FriarJude Winkler notes that the Exodus reading is two passages which have been pasted together and from which we are encouraged to be aware of signs around us of the Presence of God. Friar Jude notes the disagreement in Biblical text about seeing God face to face. We too often think that our understanding of God would be so much better if He, or His Prophets, or Jesus would just clearly define Him and tell us what He wants us to do to get the prize. The God who introduces Himself in the words in Exodus today declares, in the opinion of John Piper, five attributes or Five Expressions of God's Nature. We understand merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness and forgiveness as the attributes for which psalmists and prophets praise God. These attributes of Father are certainly part of the experience of many believers. The texts raise the question of how God deals with sin. Most people have internal sensitivity to the difference between good and evil. The nature of God is good. The relationship to which we are invited by God transcends human limitations. We, like the Israelites following Moses, are required to choose. The encounter of Moses with God presented today is his second visit toreceive the Ten Commandments. The people chose to reject the Law from God after the first visit. The Gospel from Matthew today underlines the difference between good seed and weeds. Those who chose to join Jesus living in the Kingdom of God today through charity, selflessness and service will be Good Seed and they will produce the fruit of the Love of God in society. Those who choose to ignore the invitation of God to live in service, selflessness and charity may become impediments to the spread of the Love of God. They choose to be weeds. The parable from Matthew and the long experience of the people of God since the time of Moses is that God is patient and prepared to accept the choice to be in relationship with Him at all times and places.