Numbers 20:1-13 / Matthew 16:13-23
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.
In life there will be occasions when the dryness in our throats is not caused by thirst. Rather it may be caused by people who make us frustrated and angry and we burn with bitterness within.
In that fiery moment, our parched mouths may spew out something nasty, only to regret it later.
Let us always come to Jesus, and let the saving waters from His Heart put out the fiery anger and bitterness in our hearts and heal us so that we can be at peace with each other.