Moses prayed the above verse whenever the Israelites in the desert prepared to break camp and set out with the Ark of the Covenant on a new stage of their journey. When that day's travel was finished, Moses prayed: "Return, O Lord, You Who ride upon the clouds, to the troops of Israel" (Nm 10:36). In this way, God led the Israelites through a cloud of fire on their journey. God's assistance in the time of the exodus is the model of all future divine assistance.

As Moses did, so the Church also prays morning and evening prayer in the Divine Office. This prayer prays that, as God has called His people forth on mission, we would go forth trusting that the Lord goes before us in the direction He has called us. We trust that He will be especially present throughout the day, clearing away His enemies (and ours) like walls of water to each side so that we could walk through the danger zone of mission on dry ground like the Israelites through the Red Sea (Ex 14:21ff).

We face so many enemies to the spread of the Gospel and to setting people free in Jesus. The Lord faced enemies when He healed the woman who was stooped over (Lk 13:14ff). Jesus' enemies were humiliated and "covered with confusion" (Lk 13:17). Like Moses, call upon the Lord daily in the morning as you begin His work and in the evening as you finish His work. He will clear you a straight path (see Lk 3:4; Is 40:3).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 12, 2017

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