They Walked in the Desert for Forty Years

DEUTERONOMY TODAY

Walking in the desert without being prepared is a clearly a recipe for disaster, yet the desert has many lessons to offer us. Hearing Deuteronomy today about Moses talking to the people resonated deeply with me.  My own spiritual journey before truly finding the Bread of Life took almost forty years. If one takes a moment to think about their own journey they might find that it was a trek into the dry land of cultural relativism, materialism and the many vices that accompany one along the way.

The author of Deuteronomy states "He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger and then fed you with manna." Realizing what this hunger is may take years thus our journey into the desert may take us the times without water and refreshment.  What may appear to be to refreshing to the soul so desperate to fulfill cravings, desires, and self-centered longings actually takes us deeper into the parched landscape, full of serpents, scorpions and slavery. One may become lost, thus afflicted.

I have always thought of affliction in a negative connotation, but increasingly have come to realize that whatever the hardship may be, it can be used to bring one closer to God, to the bread of life. This may not be welcome words for many, but this is through my own understanding and experience. I am not stating that in accepting such hardships one should shout with joy and happily proclaim their affliction especially when it involves personal loss and death. But in accepting such experiences and offering them up during the course of Mass and throughout the day one becomes united with all that are suffering. As Paul states in today's second reading (1 Cor 10) we although many are one. With the offering and communion we come one.

                                                                                    THE MIRAGE

For many fathers the walk is the desert being tempted by the scorpions and snakes is all to real. The temptations of desire to attain top dog, to become immersed in the workaholic society that dominates our nation along with others, the allure of power and the attraction of money are thrust at us daily.  As fathers we must make our first and foremost priority the Bread of Life.

I like many have traveled the aforementioned path.  It only brought pain to myself and those around me. And as I mentioned earlier it prevailed the first forty years of my life. The understanding that I could not live on bread alone finally made sense. I needed a guide through the desert. I needed God. My thirst could not be quenched with the lust for money, power, and the like. I came up thirsty again and again. All of this became the proverbial mirage, the life giving spring in the desert. Each attempt to reach it brought about profound emptiness and bitterness. "Is this all I get," I cried much like the people in the desert we read about today.

PRAYER FOR FATHERS

Heavenly Father, You sent your Son to show us the way through the desert, to provide for us the true manna through word and spirit. Guide us as fathers to avoid the temptations of this world, power, greed, lust, and the like so that we may become true beacons and lead others to you. Bless these your servants so that can be examples to our children of your goodness and faithfulness to your way of life so that they to may radiate the true light of the world. This we ask of you, through Jesus your Son. Amen.