Station 5: Moses and the Burning Bush

Before reading this poem, take a moment to tune into the Spirit.

Get comfortable where you are sitting. Feel free to light a candle or close your eyes. 

Take a few deep breaths and focus on the movement of the air gently expanding and contracting your lungs. 

Be still and know that this is the Spirit rushing through you.

When you are ready, begin by Meditating on the words of this Poem

 With your outstretched arm 

You delivered us.

Who is this God

That the bushes erupt in flames 

at the announcement of your Name.

Who is this God

That rivers transform to blood,

And skies cloak themselves with locust, 

as you send plagues to free us.

When horses and chariots 

pressed us against the Sea,

An outstretched hand,

Made a way for us to move forward.

Who is this God

That when we were slaves to sin,

Caught in our own darkness

An outstretched hand 

pierced and broken

would deliver us again.

Take with You

The Burning Bush is a great symbol for Incarnation. Here, an infinite God overwhelms a finite form but doesn’t consume it. The name of God is revealed in the midst of this appearance. We remember this in Christ during Advent. 

In the Orthodox tradition, the Burning bush is seen as a symbol for the Virgin Mary. Just as the bush was burning but not consumed so Mary held in her womb the Creator but remained intact. God, the one who Moses had to cover his face and take off his sandals to approach, had veiled himself now in Mary. 

Everyday the baby grew a little bigger.

Every second, a little stronger.

You are carrying your deliverance inside of you. Moses didn’t realize that the deliverance he searched for God put in him. Mary carried the Savior of the world in her very body. Christ lives in you and that is the hope of glory.   

Exodus 3-4