In the first reading today from Numbers 12, we see God punishing two people for being prideful. More in a moment. In our Gospel reading from Matthew 15, Jesus tells the crowds, “It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” A reminder for us to be very careful about the things that we say.
Moses’ brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, may have been a bit jealous of Moses. They saw all the powerful things that God was doing through him, and perhaps were envious that God spoke through Moses. So they complained. Now, you think they would learn that God doesn’t take so kindly to complainers. And that held true this time, too. So God calls them to the meeting tent (read: woodshed) and when Aaron and Miriam come out, she is a leper. Moses, in his humility, begs God to heal her.
Aaron and Miriam wanted to get noticed. They saw Moses as always being in the limelight. (If only they knew the burden this caused him!) They wanted a piece of that. It’s a familiar song and dance, no? In our celebrity obsessed, gotta get my mug on YouTube culture, everyone wants the limelight. Look at me, look at me!! I believe most folks today would rather be famous than virtuous. But God will have none of it. That is not what He appointed Aaron and Miriam for. If only they could have been content with whatever God had planned for them. So how about you? Are you always seeking your Warholian 15 minutes of fame? Or are you seeking God’s will?
Father, forgive us for those times when we seek the limelight outside your will. Help us to be humble and accept whatever mission and purpose you have for our lives. Amen.
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