The first reading from the Book of Number 11: 4-15, presents the cry and lamentation of the people of Israel after they have been fed with “manna” for quite a considerable period as they make the exodus journey. They lamented:
“Would that we had meat for food! We remember the fish we used to eat without cost in Egypt, and the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now we are famished; we see nothing before us but this manna.”
The complaints of the Israelites were strong. Before them being fed with quail, they complained about not having water to drink. Now, they were consumed with the ‘good’ things they had while they lived in Egypt. Do they consider their prior lives in Egypt as “good old days”? Were they well-off when they were slaves?
The Israelites said they were sick and tired of the manna and quail. They remembered the “cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic”. Isn’t it ironic that they said all these were free “without cost”? Did they work for the manna and the quail? Surely, they worked for the cucumbers and melons they had in Egypt. They were living in self-pity, dwelling in the past and complaining about the present. It is common and human for us to complain and bicker when we compare what seems to be lacking in our personal lives with what we or others have experienced at other times. The grass always looks greener on the other side.
In the gospel, Matthew 14: 13-21, the crowd who were with Jesus was hungry after Jesus had preached to them for a long time. Shockingly to his disciples, Jesus asked them to feed the crowd themselves. He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,”
Jesus blessed the five loaves and the two fish, the crowd all ate and were satisfied. Surprisingly, there were leftovers– twelve wicker baskets full.
In both the Gospel and the first reading, we are reminded to Trust in God’s generosity. If we trust the Lord, we will see that God always provides for us, maybe not when and the way we expect. Both ‘feeding of the crowds” is a reminder that whatever big a problem we might have, the answer will come from God. Though, in our limited human capacity, we may feel as if the world is crumbling down on us when we face some serious problems, if we take our problems to Jesus, everything starts to fall into place. Jesus will calm all our stormy seas when we turn to Him in humility, prayer, and trust.
Have a blessed Week!
