Optional Memorial of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin and martyr

 Lectionary: 409

At this, the whole community broke out with loud cries,
and even in the night the people wailed.
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron:
"How long will this wicked assembly grumble against me?

Although this story stretches through two chapters in the Book of Numbers, and has a lot of apparently irrelevant material (like the names of all the spies), it is better to read the whole story than to accept the heavily edited scraps that are given in our lectionary reading. The presentation is perhaps tailored to a restless, distracted congregation, but certain important verses are not included: 

The LORD answered: I pardon them as you have asked. Yet, by my life and the LORD’s glory that fills the whole earth of all the people who have seen my glory and the signs I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and who nevertheless have put me to the test ten times already and have not obeyed me not one shall see the land which I promised on oath to their ancestors. None of those who have spurned me shall see it. (Numbers 14:20-23)

The LORD's pardon does not mean the sin will be overlooked or left unpunished. God's Mercy and Justice have been insulted by the people's refusal to obey the Lord. 

The modern mind often overlooks this dimension. We think no one should stand on their dignity, but people should act humbly all the time. Let me give an example: 

As Sunday Mass ends, I often proceed the congregation to the front door and greet them as they leave the church. Some parents will insist that their children shake hands with Father as they leave, and most do. But some children are shy and the smallest might be scared and the parent feels compelled to apologize for the toddler's behavior. They feel the priest's dignity has been insulted. 

Now obviously, no priest is going to make an issue of the child's behavior but the parent is right. The Important Man's dignity should be honored. When the judge enters the courtroom everyone stands. When the President enters the press room, the journalists immediately rise. Out of respect for authority, that's what we do! 

In this passage from Numbers, God's sovereign authority has been insulted by the people's refusal to enter unfamiliar territory; not to mention his generosity, mercy, compassion, and kindness. If they are called the children of Israel that's no excuse for their reacting like children. 

Did they learn nothing from seeing the drowned bodies of Egyptian charioteers and horses in the Red Sea? Hasn't their God proven his ability to lead, protect, and provide for them? What on earth are they thinking when they say to Moses and Aaron, 

“If only we had died in the land of Egypt,” or “If only we would die here in the wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land only to have us fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will be taken as spoil. Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.” (Numbers 14:2-4)

Although, at Moses' pleading, God does forgive them, they must nonetheless atone for their offence against his dignity. It is not possible for this injustice against God to be simply overlooked as if it never happened. Nothing that happens cannot have not happened. There will be consequences. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, as Sir Isaac Newton declared. 

A Christian might say that the Lord's crucifixion has atoned for every wrongdoing, and they would be right. But that statement commands deep reverence on our part. It should be accompanied by tears, sacrifice, and awed silence. 

For if the word announced through angels proved firm, and every transgression and disobedience received its just recompense, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? (Hebrews 2:2-3)

Saint Francis wept as he contemplated the Cross of Christ, "Love is not loved" he said. "Love is not loved."  

Our religion teaches us gratitude for the mercy of God. And we hope to spend eternity atoning for all the sins against God's justice, goodness, mercy, and love.