tempted in our basic needs ... 16th week wednesday 2013

The exodus experience of Israel goes deeper now.  In our first reading today the Israelites are made to confront a stronger temptation in their journey to God – the temptation that is intrinsically connected with the basic needs of a human person – in our reading it is about food, but it can also be about health, and it can even be about companionship.  Unlike the other temptations these kinds of temptations are stronger.  They are not easily shaken off. Remember, when Jesus was tempted the first assault by the devil was immediately a temptation on food. The devil probably thought that Jesus would fall prey with one easy swoop when you tempt him on something as basic as food.   Because when somebody is deprived of something as basic as food, it is easy also to take away hope and sow despair in the heart of the person.  That is why during lent part of the Lenten exercise is to say no to food – through fasting and abstinence.

Today in our reading, in the midst of the grumbling of the Israelites God provided them with consolation.  They were provided something that looks like bread every morning, and in the afternoon they were provided with the meat of migratory birds.  In this instance of grumbling God gave in.  God did not blame them, God did not demand absolute trust and confidence, God was not exacting on them, God did not insist that they put some more sacrifice.  Instead God responded generously to their demands – he gave them the sustenance that they need thus giving them hope.

It is when we are tempted in our basic needs that we become greatly disturbed, we come to the brink of despair and hopelessness, but it is also here that we open ourselves to miracles and therefore to the experience of a provident and loving God.

These are necessary experiences in our journey to God, experiences that will help us see and touch the heart of God even if at first we become discouraged. Therefore let us not be afraid when they come.  And let us not be afraid too when like the Israelites we taunt God, we blame him for our woes, because it means that God is becoming real for us, and a relationship is being formed and is taking place.  Yesterday I told you that religion is a relationship – where God is real and is allowed to become for us a significant other.