March 20th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Numbers 20:1-13 (NRSV)
God gives water from the rock
The Israelites, the whole congregation, came into the wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh. Miriam died there, and was buried there.

Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and against Aaron. The people quarreled with Moses and said, "Would that we had died when our kindred died before the Lord! Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, to bring us to this wretched place? It is no place for grain, or figs, or vines, or pomegranates; and there is no water to drink." Then Moses and Aaron went away from the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting; they fell on their faces, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and your brother Aaron, and command the rock before their eyes to yield its water. Thus you shall bring water out of the rock for them; thus you shall provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.
So Moses took the staff from before the Lord, as he had commanded him. Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, "Listen, you rebels, shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff; water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their livestock drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me, to show my holiness before the eyes of the Israelites, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them." These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord, and by which he showed his holiness.


Reflection
Again, God saves his complaining people. Again, God brings water from a rock. I can't help but to think to Jesus in this passage. I recall statements relating Jesus to the cornerstone of the Church. I recall my baptismal waters and think of this life saving water flowing from this rock. Baptism, a gift from God. God gives baptism and salvation to me before I can begin to recognize what I've been given. That's grace! A God that gives you something no matter if you decide to accept it or not. God loves me and you so much we are granted salvation and water from the rock no matter what. You have no choice. Now, you can believe and live a response of thanks, praise and give honor to God. Or you can run. But the gift of water from the rock and salvation is given. Even if you are crying about it. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, your love amazes me. How much you love your people. Thanks...I believe. --- Amen