Journey through the Wilderness

Last week at our community retreat Father Jerome Kodell spoke about the spiritual path through the wilderness. He compared it to the exodus of the Israeliltes through the desert after fleeing from the Egyptians. It was not an easy, direct path. In fact, they wandered for 40 years before reaching the Promised Land. They complained to Moses about leading them through a vast wasteland, and longed for the fleshpots of Egypt. They doubted God's word about giving them a land flowing with milk and honey. They were not satisfied with the manna God gave them; they wanted meat so God provided quail. When they were thirsty God gave them water from a rock. The Israelites slogged through a circuitous route, feeling lost and afraid, but they reached Mt. Sinai.

Our spiritual journey is similar to the Israelites of old. We lose our way frequently and complain about the hardships. We think "the road not taken" might have been easier and more fulfilling. We doubt God's care and guidance on our path, feeling abandoned and fearful. When God provides spiritual nourishment, we prefer something else. If things go awry, we blame our leaders who seem to have led us astray. We grumble and murmur at the difficulties, blind to the love God offers us each step of the way.

God's promise to the Israelites and to us is: "I will be with you. I love you. Trust me." Fire and clouds were signs of God's presence to the Israelites. People and events can be signs of God's presence in our lives. They are not just coincidences, but revelatory. God puts them in our path to nudge us, to point us in the right direction, to encourage us, to reassure us that all will be well. No matter how many mistakes we make, no matter how stubborn we are, no matter how many golden calves we erect, God's message is the same: "I will be with you. I love you. Trust me."