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St Catherine's Monastery
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Saint Catherine's Monastery

St Catherine's Monastery

The burning bush · Sinai, Egypt

At the foot of Mount Sinai, Emperor Justinian had a fortified monastery built around the place where God spoke to Moses from a bush that burned but was not consumed. It is named after Catherine of Alexandria, whose relics monks are said to have found on a nearby mountain. Inside the walls there is even a small mosque, a sign of centuries of peace with its Bedouin neighbours. Today visitors can see the 6th-century basilica, the burning bush and some of the monastery's treasures.

Did you know?

Its library holds some of the oldest Christian books and icons in the world, including the famous icon of Christ Pantocrator.

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An inspiring story

Five excuses

Do you ever feel you're the wrong person for the job?

Moses was eighty, a shepherd in the desert, when a bush caught fire and did not burn up. God called him to go back to Egypt and free his people. Moses had an answer ready every time: 'Who am I?' 'What if they don't believe me?' 'I have never been good with words.' And finally: 'Please send someone else.' Why did God not give up on him? Because it was never about Moses' strength. Each time God answered with the same promise: 'I will be with you.'

God rarely picks the obvious people. He picks people who are willing to go, excuses and all.

I will be with you.Exodus 3:12

Sources

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