Exodus 16:2–4 & 9–15 :The manna story is not about manna. It is about our inability to listen and see the works of the Spirit.

I grew up reading this story. I have fond and vivid memories of Sunday school and the visual aids used by my teacher to illustrate the manna [bread] coming  from heaven to feed the people of Israel. This story of course is much more than bread coming from heaven; is about our inability to LISTEN what the Spirit of God is saying and SEE where is trying to lead us.

Israel’s journey through the wilderness was mean to be a transformative process to help them to learn to listen to God and see the unfolding mystery life in all its wonderful shades of colours!

In this story it became apparent that Israel’s main obstacle in being transformed by God was their insistence in putting before God the many things they wanted—in this case the food.

If we are honest we will recognised that this not just Israel’s problem, it is ours too. All our wants have become the obstacle for our transformation. There are so many things we want. Some are noble, even commendable and desirable; however this story illustrates that all our wants have to be put aside. It doesn’t matter how important or dear they are to us.

In this story the people of Israel wanted their food. “[In Egypt] where we sat by the fleshpots and had plenty of bread!  But you have brought us out into this wilderness to let this whole assembly starve to death.” Israel complaints about the food were not the main issue of the story; these were the symptoms of a big problem: Israel did not understand the transformative process that was taking place as they journeyed through the wilderness. The lack of food was part of this process of learning new ways to listen and see.

I find it quite interesting that before Moses and Aron address the issue of food—with the alternative bread— they invited the people of Israel to “Come into the presence of the Lord…”

This should be our starting point too.

Let’s put aside all the things we want. Let’s come to the presence of the Lord and listen. To help us to centre ourselves into the process of listening, I would suggest using a mantra from the scriptures. I used Psalm 23:1. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”.

I have discovered that as I repeat these words,[ “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want”.]again and again, I began to let go all the things I want…and allow the Spirit to speak to me, transforming my inner being to see where God is leading me in life.

Ernesto