Links for today’s readings:
Read: Exodus 16 Listen: (5:02) Read: Matthew 27 Listen: (8:45)
Scripture Focus: Exodus 16:17-18
17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. 18 And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.
Reflection: Maggot Moments
By Erin Newton
Our Western culture operates on consumption. We not only have a drive toward getting what we need but a fervor toward having beyond necessity. We learn from ads, social media, peer pressure, and availability that excess is best.
Excess is unbiblical. Exodus 16 describes the well-known story of the “what’s this?” blessing—manna, the bread from heaven. The Hebrews have been wandering the arid desert learning how to operate a nomadic lifestyle in a strange land. When we see that they are grumbling about food, can we really blame them?
Moses points out that they need to realize their grumbling is not just against him but against God. That’s about all that is said of their lack of appreciation for God’s guidance. But God hears and he answers anyway.
God does not ask them to be better before he listens. Out of his love for them, he responds with exactly the thing they are grumbling about.
The instructions called for the people to gather what was necessary for them that day. Some gathered a lot and some gathered little—likely because of the varying family sizes. It is not how much they gathered that is judged via maggots; it is the excess.
The instructions said to gather one omer for each person. Working and gathering a specific amount sounds simple on paper, but it likely resulted in overages and shortages. I’m guessing they had to take time to figure out the right amount, and I’m sure they had more than one maggot-moment.
I wonder if they shared each morning. Did one family begin to realize they had gathered too much and try to find those who had gathered too little? Did they gather for the sick friend or neighbor? Did those in need find a safe place to ask for help when their ends wouldn’t meet or as the day grew hot and their omer was half-full?
There is no biblical command here to say they should refuse to help others. Being stingy is not a virtue.
We might be tempted to read this story with our Western eyes, seeing it as a call for each person to pull their own weight. But nothing about the Old Testament suggests an individualistic lifestyle. God has always called us to help our neighbors when we have beyond what our needs require.
Store up … what is needed for today, before the maggots and moths and rust destroy.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm
My eyes are upon the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me, and only those who lead a blameless life shall be my servants.
Those who act deceitfully shall not dwell in my house, and those who tell lies shall not continue in my sight.
I will soon destroy all the wicked in the land, that I may root out all evildoers from the city of the Lord. — Psalm 101.6-8
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: Beauty from Ashes :: Guided Prayer
Are you watering and fertilizing weeds instead of the good seed of the gospel? Lent is a time to gather up the tares among your wheat—gather them to be burned to ash.
Read more: Preparing for Joy
In the face of a culture that encourages us to neglect, degrade, and abuse each other, Lent invites us to see ourselves and our world clearly, humbly, and truly.