In the book of Numbers, we saw how Israel was punished to wander for forty years after they doubted their ability to conquer the Promised Land, despite God being on their side.  After the death of Moses at the ending of Deuteronomy, Israel, led by Joshua, prepares to enter the land.  Joshua was one of the few who believed and had faith they would be successful, which is why he is now leader of the people.  In chapter three, we encounter Israel preparing to enter the Promised Land for the first time.  What would be going through their minds after so many years? Their original failure?

              The people had much to reflect.  The doubts were probably still on their mind – asking themselves ‘can we do it?’  Even though that would be an anxiety, they still dare not act on it, as their ancestors did out of fear of being punished.  The fear could have possibly transitioned to faith in God. They failed forty years before because they did not trust God enough to see He would be at their side.  Now, they go in knowing God is at their side.  Both of these ideas create a tension in the people.  Doubt of their ability to fulfill what God led them to do, as well as trust in God to strengthen themselves to accomplish the goal.  We experience this tension in our lives as well during moments of transition -whether it is moving to a new place, starting a new job or school, getting married, etc.  Transitions in our lives create a tension between confidence and doubt.  We can do it with the help of God, versus I cannot do it myself.  The tension comes from the unknown and uncertainty of what the future holds for us.  Reflection on the doubt is not a bad thing as long as we do not give into it.  The reason God punishes the people for forty years was to bring them to the point to see they can do anything with Him on their side.  We can also handle these changes in our life with the help of God as well.

              Joshua has a tall task ahead of himself as well.  With Moses gone, he is now the “new Moses” and leader of the people.  Transitions are difficult, but they are even more difficult when the transition involves a promotion and more responsibility with leadership.  Not everyone can handle the responsibilities of a leader, and a leader often receives the most criticism.   Joshua would have also seen what Moses went through in his life with the people constantly complaining about things and never being satisfied.  He is about to undertake quite a challenge to not just lead the people, but to be an inspiration to their ability to conquer and live in the Promised Land. He must also remind them constantly of God’s presence with the people.  Joshua is up for the task, for he has a deep relationship with the Lord to trust God and himself in where the people are going.  Though many of us would say we are not leaders and do not desire it, all of us are leaders in the faith by virtue of our Baptism.  As part of the anointing with chrism, we are anointed into Christ’s as priests, prophets, and kings.  All of those are leadership positions.  We all hold a responsibility from the Lord to assist others to be led closer to the Lord.  How do we embrace our Baptism and leadership of the Faith? 

              The Baptism is what Israel experiences as they cross the Jordan River.  Not the Baptism of Christ, but a foreshadowing of the Baptism, and in many ways, a real renewal in their lives.  When the priests enter the water with the ark of the covenant, the waters of the Jordan stop flowing so that the people can cross into the Promised Land (Joshua 3:13).  This moment harkens back to the crossing of the Red Sea.  When Moses led his people through the waters, it was a transition from being slaves to pharaoh to being free for God.  They could worship and serve the one true God, as they wished, being purified by the Red Sea.  As Joshua leads his people through the waters of the Jordan, they are wiser people who are still entering into a transition.  They are being purified from the failures and shortcomings that occurred to them in the desert so that they may be prepared by God to enter the Promised Land.  Though they may have doubts of their readiness or issues with their confidence, God is making them ready by passing through the waters.  In addition, the people are reminded of God’s presence with them because every person must walk past the Ark of the Covenant as they enter the Promised Land.  It is a reminder that God is with them.

              This story of Joshua and Israel entering the Promised Land calls us to reflect on our own transitions and changes in life.  As the people and Joshua are filled with questions and possible doubt, we are as well.  Will we be successful?  Can we do it?  Will we make the mistakes that we made before?  Do we even want to change?  It is easy to look at these questions and run away from them, but when God calls us, He calls us to move forward.  He calls us to the change because it will draw us closer to Him, but we must wrestle with the transition.  The story of Joshua also reinforces the reality that God is truly with us.  He is there, like the Ark, watching over us and guiding us towards Him.  As Israel walked through the waters, God is constantly preparing us in our lives for what is next.  We may not believe we are ready.  We may not know that God is molding us.  God is preparing us right now for what is to come next.  We will be ready because God prepares us to be ready.  Let us answer the call, as Joshua does, and run towards that new reality God makes us ready for.