2.8.11

Yesterday’s discussion on adultery was quite well-attended.
And for good reasons.

The prevalence of adultery in this oh-so-ultra-modern time and age cannot be underestimated. But who defines what is moral, amoral, immoral?

Did I really believe everything I said?
If someone is trapped in a sordid marriage that robs him/her of his/her humanity and the celebration of the gift of life, should I advise him to stick with it come hell or high water? Or is it not more humane to tell him/her to choose the path of happiness that he/she is called to enjoy?

That is why it is very important to have that personal bonding with God.
He tells us which way to take.

***

And today, Mary.

I wonder what she thinks – if she still can – when people pray to her and are never encouraged to stop.



REFLECTIONS
Numbers 11-14

The Israelites Complained
(and how dare Moses!)

Numbers 11
vv11-15
“Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”

Moses: “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?”

The Lord: “Is the LORD’S arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”

* Teach me not to complain, but to be content in everything you allow to come my way.

v17
I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.

* If the burden is too heavy for me, lead me to people with the same spirit who can share my load.


vv27-29
A young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”
Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’S people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!”


Miriam’s Jealousy
Numbers 12

* Do not give me a spirit of jealousy, but give me humility as I celebrate the status you give me.

Note how the Lord speaks on behalf of Moses:
vv6-8 “When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

Note also what a weakling Aaron is to be swayed by his sister.
Rewind to The Golden Calf episode.


* Teach me to be strong and courageous in the face of discouragement as Caleb and Joshua were.


The Petition of a Holy Man

Numbers 14
Moses: In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.

The Lord: I have forgiven them, as you asked.


The Punishment for a Rebellious People

vv21-23
Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times—not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.

* Do not make me rebel against you.