Numbers 20:1-13 / Matthew 1613-23 (2019)
Between hunger and thirst, it may be difficult to say which will affect us more adversely.
But in the desert, where life is becomes so thin and fragile, hunger and thirst are factors that will have to be seriously reckoned with.
In the 1st reading, the Israelites complained first of hunger. Then it is thirst.
And in the desert, thirst can have devastating effects. As it had on the Israelites. And also on Moses and Aaron.
In their disgust and resentment with the complaints of the rebellious Israelites, Moses taunted them before he struck the rock twice to make water flow from it.
Moses had reached the limit of his tolerance and patience and had only harsh and heated words for the people.
In the gospel, we also heard of some harsh words from Jesus to Peter.
But those harsh words of Jesus were not said in disgust or in resentment, but rather to emphasize His commitment to His saving mission, as well as a reminder to us that we should not be an obstacle to the ways of God.
Indeed the ways of God are mysteriously simple and humble, as in the case of the St. John Vianney.
As Patron Saint of Priests, his example in life is simply that of faithfulness to duty and humility in service.
As a confessor, he directed souls to God and did penance and mortification for them. He faithfully carried out his duty in love and service.
Nothing spectacular or dramatic but all done in simplicity and humility. Yet St. John Vianney is the Patron Saint and model for all priests.
Indeed man's ways are not God's ways. May St. John Vianney pray for us that we will understand the ways of God and walk in that way.