Memorial of Saint John of the Cross
December 14, 2020
Daily reading from the USCCB: Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a
The Israelites were moving through the kingdom of Moab toward the Promised Land. Moab’s king wanted to keep them out and called in Balaam, a sorcerer, to lay a curse on the Israelites. In spite of his desire to do what the king wanted, Balaam couldn’t. God compelled him to bless the Israelites. God was to make them prosper. They would be ruled by a king who would rise from the midst of the people like a star.
Christians have seen the Balaam narrative as a messianic prophecy. The new chosen people would prosper. A Messiah would rise like a star over his people.
God’s people still prosper. The Messiah shines over them like a star. Those who would do them harm find themselves powerless.
