Optional Memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome

Collect for St Mary Major

 Lectionary: 410

These are the waters of Meribah, where the children of Israel contended against the Lord, and where the LORD revealed his sanctity among them.

The incident at Meribah is cited several times in the Bible, and more often in our Catholic liturgy. The Liturgy of the Hours begins with "O Lord, open my lips," and leads into Psalm 95 with the daily, painful reminder, "Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness."

The Book of Numbers says that Moses was punished for acting as if he had magically caused water to flow out of a rock. But Exodus and Deuteronomy suppose that Moses was punished along with the rest of his generation. The escaped Hebrew, including Moses -- did not enter the Promised Land. Their children did under Joshua's leadership. 

The incidents at Massah and Meribah are cited so often in our prayers that we might suppose God nurtures a long standing resentment. They're like the Original Sin, but they are more like our Typical Sin. As the preacher said, "There was only one Original Sin; the rest are cheap imitations." 

What exactly was the sin? Actually, there were several: 

Moses had sent a party to reconnoiter the land they were about to enter. They had found found a rich land flowing with milk and honey, but it was occupied. The cities seemed impregnable; and the defenders, powerful. The returning party insisted, "We cannot go there!" over God's assurances that he would deliver the country to them without a fight.

Secondly, although they had seen the ten plagues of Egypt with its grand finale, the crossing of the Red Sea, the people forgot the entire incident and its meaning when they felt the bite of hunger. They worried about perishing in the desert and remembered that they had food when they were slaves. They wanted to go back. 

That was not God's plan. He would feed them and lead them and they should only watch as they had watched before. And they should not complain as they had before! They didn't seem to learn anything from their history. 

Stephen Daedalus, in James Joyce's novel, Ulysses, famously complained, "“History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake." The line is interpreted in many ways by many authors but it also echoes the misguided sentiments of many people. They'd just as soon forget their sins of the past and move on as if they never happened, as if there were no consequences. 

If no one knows about the hardening of hearts at Massah and Meribah, perhaps we can just cash in on God's promises and never atone for the past. Fortunately, God's plan is far more beautiful and far more blessed than that banality. 

Some people quarrel often just so they can kiss and make up. I don't know if that's true but it illustrates a point. Rather than forgetting the past, God's grace leads us to see something beautiful, a mighty work, in our lives. 

I was reminded of that when I heard a confession recently and the penitent expressed such relief and joy afterward. The Sacrament of Penance is one of God's mighty works! Indeed each of the Sacraments should be seen and celebrated as astonishing and unexpected. Can anyone imagine how good God is that he forgives our sins and binds us together in love for one another? It is beyond comprehension and yet, There it is! 

Recently a fellow at the VA experienced a near-miraculous healing after I gave him a rosary. He was suffering terrible pain and I suggested the prayer might take his mind off of it. It not only took his mind off of it; the pain went away! He might even return to the faith of his childhood! 

We remember our sins, confess and atone for them, so that we might see and believe and enjoy the wonderful works of God. He is leading us to the Promised Land. We have only to quit complaining, quit asking for proof, and enter!