Holy Ground and the Revelation of the Father

Exod 3:1-6.9-12; Psalm: 102; Mt 11:25-27

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, today, we will reflect on the idea of Holy Ground and the Revelation of the Father. In our journey of faith, understanding the divine presence and how it shapes our lives is essential.

Let us turn to Exodus 3, where we find Moses standing before the burning bush. Here, God reveals Himself in a way that is both extraordinary and accessible. God initiates this encounter, calling Moses by name and asking him to remove his sandals, for he is standing on holy ground. The ground has not changed. It is still dirt and rock, but it becomes holy through the divine presence. God’s presence transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary. This is the God who reveals Himself to us, inviting us into communion. In that moment, Moses learns that holiness demands reverence. God’s call to Moses is not just an invitation but a commissioning. Here we see Moses as a type of Christ, a figure who points toward the One who would come to save us. When God speaks, He does so with compassion and purpose. He sees the suffering of His people and is moved to act. This compassionate revelation is the foundation of our faith.

Now let us turn our attention to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 11. Here we encounter the intimate revelation of the Son. Jesus speaks of the “little ones” and the divine hiddenness that surrounds them. This is crucial for us to understand. The Father reveals Himself to those who have the humility and simplicity of a child. Jesus thanks the Father for hiding these truths from the wise and learned, yet revealing them to little children. This is a radical and beautiful truth. The unique knowledge of the Son is not for the proud or the self-reliant but for those who come to Him in childlike dependence. As we synthesize these teachings, we see a beautiful theological pattern emerge. God’s holiness demands our reverence. Our understanding of His divine revelation precedes our mission. We cannot share what we do not know. And to truly know the Father, we must approach Him with childlike humility.

Now, let us consider how we can apply this in our daily lives. First, we must create holy ground spaces in our lives. These are places where we invite God’s presence, whether through prayer, worship, or quiet reflection. We need to embrace our Moses moments, those divine interruptions that call us to step out of our comfort zones and into God’s mission. Furthermore, we are called to become “little ones” again. Cultivating childlike dependence on our Heavenly Father opens the heavens to us. We must let go of our need to control and instead trust in His goodness.

In doing so, we become vessels of His revelation, sharing the Father’s love and grace with those around us. From the burning bush to the Father’s heart, we are invited into an eternal relationship. Let us remember that we stand on holy ground each time we come before Him in prayer. Let us walk in the confidence of His revelation and share it boldly with the world. Amen.

St. Gregory of Nyssa on Exodus 3:
“The fire that burns without consuming is God’s divine nature: purifying yet preserving the soul that receives Him.”

St. John of the Cross on divine hiddenness:
“God’s light is so bright it appears as darkness to our weak intellect. Only humility opens the eyes.”

Pope St. John Paul II on Matthew 11:27:
“Christ does not merely speak about God; He is God’s living self-revelation.” (Redemptor Hominis, 7)

St. Teresa of Calcutta:
“In the Eucharist, we stand on holy ground. Carry that reverence into the streets where Christ hides in the poor.”