The first reading today probably strikes you as an odd one to choose leading up to Christmas – at least until you arrive at the final verse of the reading: “A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel” (Num 24:17). I suspect most people read that and think, “Oh, makes sense now, Balaam is talking about the Star of Bethlehem.” Maybe. Let’s consider the backstory that brings us to this verse.
Continue readingToday’s psalm refrain asks: Teach me your ways, O Lord. Did you know that the psalm is chosen as a response to the first reading? In today’s first reading we hear about the pagan prophet Balaam. The reading is from the Book of Numbers, part of the narrative covering the Hebrew people in the wilderness between Egypt and the Promised Land.
The Amorites, Ammonites, Moabites and Midianites – all feared the Israelites. “Now this horde will devour everything around us as an ox devours the grass of the field.” So they summoned Balaam to curse the Israelites. Balaam sets up his sacrificial altar, prepares everything, raised his arms to begin the curse, but what comes out is a blessing. He tries again, same thing – blessing.
Teach me your ways, O Lord
Even if I am not asking
Teach me your ways, O Lord
Guide me in truth. Teach me you are my Savior. Guide me in humility. Remind me to be compassionate.
Show me the way of salvation
Let me always know the authority by which You do all things that your will be done.
Teach me your ways, O Lord
Even if I am not asking
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