This reading has Moses letting the people know that God will raise up another prophet, similar to Moses. Have you ever wondered why is it tha God needed prophets instead of just “talking to us directly”? Actually, when God did such, there was great fear among the people, and they were afraid the experience would kill them! There have been numerous movies regarding God taking to people. Some more humorous than others, yet typically the human interacting with God goes through a very difficult period. Not a big selling point for taking to God face to face!
We have Sacred Scripture, we have the teachings of the Church, we have the Eucharist. Yet I think most of us would rather not speak with God face to face. In addition, how would we know it is God’s voice and we are not simply crazy. (A theme not uncommon to the above-mentioned movies.) As I look back over the years, I sometimes think of things my parents, aunts & uncles told me. I didn’t listen to them very well either. As the Psalm says, my heart was hardened.
The second reading starts off with, “I should like you to be free of anxieties.” Who wouldn’t like that? Yet how many of us would seriously consider the advice that follows?
Picking up from the first reading the Gospel has Jesus speaking as a prophet speaks. People heard him yet were astonished. Yet even when the miracles were performed, people were unwilling to listen closely. To listen and to follow is not a simple thing to do. Yet isn’t that what we are called to do? We have so many voices today, especially on social media. Yet how many are telling us what we need to be hearing. And, if they are, are we listening? Sometimes we are concerned with how many “followers” someone has that the content of their messages.
Countenance of God 