Art: “Moses Striking the Rock,” c.1646 NICOLAS POUSSIN (1594-1665)
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The Latin term Incurvatus in se meaning "curved inward on oneself” may have been coined by Augustine of Hippo and describes the life lived “inward” for oneself rather than “outward” for God and others.
This condition is evident today in our cultural discourse as many arguments begin from seeking to preserve one’s own tribe. When faced with any cultural issue regarding money, education, war, health, etc. our tendency is to move towards self-preservation. Our hearts are “curved in,” we look at our own needs first.
Today, our readings give us three illustrations contrasting the “Incurvatus in se” way of being from the Jesus way of being.
In our Old Testament reading (Exodus 17:1-7), the children of Israel are in the wilderness faced with great need. They are thirsty. In their panic they begin fighting their leader, Moses. It must be his fault! But the narrative reminds us that, behind their quarreling is a deeper question: Is the Lord among us or not? They are looking for results, a way in which their current position of freedom is better than when they were in slavery. Such an environment places focus on the need and not on the One who delivered them. The situation is so dire, Moses says that the people will soon turn to violence against him.
God does not reprimand the people. Instead, he hears their cry and responds. This is not because he is manipulated by them. It is also not because God is transactional—with a deeper agenda behind his back. God shows himself to be the true provider by providing life-giving water from the most unexpected source: a rock.
In our epistle reading (Philippians 2:5-13). Paul describes the nature of redemption in the God who did nothing out of selfishness. In Christ, the true nature of God is revealed. He is the self-giving God, the one who made himself nothing in dying for us. Paul challenges the Church in our selfishness to have the same mindset as Christ. He is not merely appealing to Jesus as an example of humility. He is pointing to who God is and therefore who his people are called to be.
In our gospel reading (Matthew 21:23-32), Jesus reveals the hearts of the religious leaders who have a veneer of obedience, but do not trust God and do not see Jesus for who he is. They are so concerned about the preservation of the temple system and keeping the “wrong” people out, that they have become blind to the kingdom. They are confused as to where Jesus has received his authority.
The world-disrupting truth is that all authority has been given to Jesus from the Father. May we live into this self-oriented kingdom of grace. May we pray that God would “un-curve” our hearts that they might trust in him, reflecting his love to a broken world, knowing that he is always faithful to do so.