Awe, intimacy, faithfulness

In today’s first reading, the awe and reverence with which the people honoured God’s presence is palpable and moving. “The people would rise and bow low, each at the door of his tent’.

There is also a poignant sense of the closeness and intimacy of God who met with Moses ‘face to face as a man speaks to his friend.’ 

And finally, the faithfulness of God who does not fail to censure his people’s waywardness and yet is full of mercy and compassion. 

Moses set up the ‘tent of meeting’, outside the camp, away from the everyday business of life. Where is your tent of meeting? Where do you withdraw to, to speak with God face to face?