Homily: Eighteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time
Eighteenth Thursday of Ordinary Time (Numbers 20:1-13) “Is God Grumpy?”
The Book of Numbers seems to portray a lot of grumpy personalities. We have the people of Israel who are following Moses through the desert to their new home. The desert is not a very nice place to be, but the people do have their freedom. Unfortunately, they complain over and over about their lives anyway.
In today’s reading we hear about the people crabbing about Moses because they do not have enough water to drink. God hears the complaints. He is angry at all the grousing, but he decided to give the people what they want, plenty of water.
He asks Moses to strike a rock with his staff. If he does this water will flow for the people and their livestock. Moses gathers the people and strikes the rock, but he does it twice. God takes offense and tells Moses that he will not lead the people of Israel into the promised land.
The God we meet in the Book of Numbers seems to be out of sorts a lot of the time. He reminds me of an elderly uncle who only wakes up from their nap when there is a lot of commotion. When this God does wake up, he is angry for being disturbed. Is that the way God is? Is God overly sensitive and does his wrath have to be held back by Moses?
As I reflect on this question, I am aware of one of the reasons why Jesus came into the world. Until Jesus came to live among us, people could have a rather distorted picture of God. In the Old Testament, God is described as tender and merciful. But God is also described as a supreme being who could punish severely at times. Which description of God is more accurate?
Jesus answered that question. Jesus was compassionate and full of mercy. If we want to know what God is really like, we need only consider how Jesus lived and ministered. When I contemplate Jesus, I find that I am consoled and feel like Jesus will provide for my needs. He is like the God who provided for the needs of the Israelites as they spent 40 years in the desert, waiting to enter the promised land. Jesus is a God who can be trusted.
Reflection Questions:
- Is God a grumpy old man to me? Is God a caring parent for me? Why do I say this?
- We see God act with compassion in the Old Testament and we see God punish people. How did Jesus operate?
Dear Parishioners,
I took a tour of the grade school’s new front office today. The work is coming to completion. Again, thank you to those who donated to the TTT Capital Campaign for Seton School. Jane Barrett was very relieved that the security of the school is being upgraded. We also have cameras outside the building so the campus can be monitored from the main office.
This week we are also patching, sealing, and striping the parking lot at the old bank parking lot. This should enhance the look of our campus. Fortunately, our endowment should help us to pay for this work. We hope to have a ramp for the parking lot to the door of Culemans Hall. We are still looking at that situation. I should have a cost for the ramp soon. We have done a lot of projects around campus this summer. It is only with your generous contributions that we can keep our facilities up to date.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch after you today.
Fr. Mark